Phys.org  September 26, 2023
Commonly observed in thin systems as two-dimensional sheets, in three dimensions skyrmions form tubes that are thought to nucleate and annihilate along their depth on points of vanishing magnetization. However, a lack of techniques that can probe the bulk of the material has made it difficult to perform experimental visualizations of skyrmion lattices and their stabilization through defects. An international team of researchers ( Canada, USA – NIST, SUNY Buffalo, Germany) provided three-dimensional visualizations of a bulk Co8Zn8Mn4 skyrmion lattice through a tomographic algorithm applied to multiprojection small-angle neutron scattering measurements. Reconstructions of the sample showed a disordered skyrmion lattice exhibiting three-dimensional topological transitions through emergent (anti) monopole branching and segmentation defect pathways. According to the researchers their technique provides insights into skyrmion stabilization and topological transition pathways in a bulk skyrmion lattice, guiding the future development and manipulation of skyrmion materials for spintronic applications… read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ
3D Skyrmion tubes and their topological transition defect pathways. Credit: Nature Physics, 14 August, 2023