High-density Neel-type magnetic skyrmion phase stabilized at high temperature

Abstract

The discovery of a thermally stable, high-density magnetic skyrmion phase is a key prerequisite for realizing practical skyrmionic memory devices. In contrast to the typical low-density Neel-type skyrmions observed in technologically viable multilayer systems, with Lorentz transmission electron microscopy, we report the discovery of a high-density homochiral Neel-type skyrmion phase in magnetic multilayer structures that is stable at high temperatures up to 733 K (approximate to 460 degrees C). Micromagnetic simulations reveal that a high-density skyrmion phase can be stabilized at high temperature by deliberately tuning the magnetic anisotropy, magnetic field, and temperature. The existence of the high-density skyrmion phase in a magnetic multilayer system raises the possibility of incorporating chiral Neel-type skyrmions in ultrahigh-density spin memory devices. Moreover, the existence of this phase at high temperature shows its thermal stability, demonstrating the potential for skyrmion devices operating in thermally challenging modern electronic chips.