Discrete Hall resistivity contribution from Néel skyrmions in multilayer nanodiscs

DOI: 10.1038/s41565-018-0268-y

Authors: Katharina Zeissler (University of Leeds) , Simone Finizio (Swiss Light Source) , Kowsar Shahbazi (University of Leeds) , Jamie Massey (University of Leeds) , Fatma Al Ma’mari (University of Leeds) , David M. Bracher (Swiss Light Source) , Armin Kleibert (Swiss Light Source) , Mark C. Rosamond (University of Leeds) , Edmund H. Linfield (University of Leeds) , Thomas A. Moore (University of Leeds) , Jörg Raabe (Swiss Light Source) , Gavin Burnell (University of Leeds) , Christopher H. Marrows (University of Leeds)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Nature Nanotechnology , VOL 61

State: Published (Approved)
Published: October 2018

Abstract: Magnetic skyrmions are knot-like quasiparticles. They are candidates for non-volatile data storage in which information is moved between fixed read and write terminals. The read-out operation of skyrmion-based spintronic devices will rely on the electrical detection of a single magnetic skyrmion within a nanostructure. Here we present Pt/Co/Ir nanodiscs that support skyrmions at room temperature. We measured the Hall resistivity and simultaneously imaged the spin texture using magnetic scanning transmission X-ray microscopy. The Hall resistivity is correlated to both the presence and size of the skyrmion. The size-dependent part matches the expected anomalous Hall signal when averaging the magnetization over the entire disc. We observed a resistivity contribution that only depends on the number and sign of skyrmion-like objects present in the disc. Each skyrmion gives rise to 22 ± 2 nΩ cm irrespective of its size. This contribution needs to be considered in all-electrical detection schemes applied to skyrmion-based devices. Not only the area of Néel skyrmions but also their number and sign contribute to their Hall resistivity.

Journal Keywords: Magnetic properties and materials; Spintronics

Diamond Keywords: Skyrmions; Spintronics; Data Storage

Subject Areas: Physics, Materials, Information and Communication Technology

Facility: PolLux; Swiss Light Source

Added On: 09/10/2018 09:43

Discipline Tags:

Quantum Materials Physics Components & Micro-systems Information & Communication Technologies Magnetism Materials Science

Technical Tags: