Berlin 2015 – scientific programme

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O: Fachverband Oberflächenphysik

O 2: Surface Magnetism and Spin Phenomena

O 2.9: Invited Talk

Monday, March 16, 2015, 12:45–13:15, MA 004

Interface-induced magnetic skyrmions studied with spin-polarized STM — •Kirsten von Bergmann — Department of Physics, University of Hamburg, Germany

The spin textures of ultra-thin magnetic layers exhibit surprising variety. The loss of inversion symmetry at the interface of magnetic layer and substrate gives rise to the so-called Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya interaction which favors non-collinear spin arrangements with unique rotational sense [1]. An ideal tool to investigate such systems down to the atomic scale is spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy, which has enabled the discovery of spin spirals with unique rotational sense at surfaces [2]. Recently, different interface-driven skyrmion lattices have been found [3,4], which can be viewed as a two-dimensional analogon to spin spirals. Depending on the involved magnetic interactions single particle-like skyrmions can be realized and their writing as well as the deletion based on local spin-polarized current injection has been demonstrated [4]. Such interface-induced non-collinear magnetic states enable the study of fundamental magnetic interactions and are promising candidates for future spintronic applications.

[1] K. von Bergmann et al., J. Phys.: Cond. Mat. 26, 394002 (2014).

[2] M. Bode et al., Nature 447, 190 (2007).

[3] S. Heinze et al., Nature Phys. 7, 713 (2011).

[4] N. Romming et al., Science 341, 636 (2013).