Evolution of emergent monopoles into magnetic skyrmion strings

DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c01117

Authors: Haonan Jin (ShanghaiTech University) , Wancong Tan (ShanghaiTech University) , Yizhou Liu (RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS)) , Kejing Ran (ShanghaiTech University) , Raymond Fan (Diamond Light Source) , Yanyan Shangguan (Nanjing University) , Yao Guang (Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences) , Gerrit Van Der Laan (Diamond Light Source) , Thorsten Hesjedal (University of Oxford) , Jinsheng Wen (Nanjing University) , Guoqiang Yu (Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences) , Shilei Zhang (ShanghaiTech University)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Nano Letters

State: Published (Approved)
Published: June 2023
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 27692 , 28933 , 30749

Abstract: Topological defects are fundamental concepts in physics, but little is known about the transition between distinct types across different dimensionalities. In topological magnetism, as in field theory, the transition between 1D strings and 0D monopoles is a key process whose observation has remained elusive. Here, we introduce a novel mechanism that allows for the controlled stabilization of emergent monopoles and show that magnetic skyrmion strings can be folded into monopoles. Conversely, they act as seeds out of which the entire string structure can unfold, containing its complete information. In chiral magnets, this process can be observed by resonant elastic X-ray scattering when the objects are in proximity to a polarized ferromagnet, whereby a pure monopole lattice is emerging on the surface. Our experimental proof of the reversible evolution from monopole to string sheds new light on topological defects and establishes the emergent monopole lattice as a new 3D topological phase.

Journal Keywords: skyrmions; 3D topological textures; topological defects; 3D magnetic structure characterization; resonant elastic X-ray scattering

Diamond Keywords: Skyrmions

Subject Areas: Materials, Physics


Instruments: I10-Beamline for Advanced Dichroism - scattering

Added On: 05/06/2023 08:30

Documents:
acs.nanolett.3c01117.pdf

Discipline Tags:

Quantum Materials Physics Magnetism Materials Science

Technical Tags:

Scattering Resonant Elastic X-ray Scattering (REXS)