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Topological properties and dynamics of magnetic skyrmions

Nature Nanotechnology volume 8, pages 899–911 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

Magnetic skyrmions are particle-like nanometre-sized spin textures of topological origin found in several magnetic materials, and are characterized by a long lifetime. Skyrmions have been observed both by means of neutron scattering in momentum space and microscopy techniques in real space, and their properties include novel Hall effects, current-driven motion with ultralow current density and multiferroic behaviour. These properties can be understood from a unified viewpoint, namely the emergent electromagnetism associated with the non-coplanar spin structure of skyrmions. From this description, potential applications of skyrmions as information carriers in magnetic information storage and processing devices are envisaged.

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Figure 1: The skyrmion spin structures.
Figure 2: Phase diagrams of thin-film samples of chiral magnets as a function of magnetic field and temperature.
Figure 3: Various spin textures in dipolar-driven skyrmion systems.
Figure 4: Topological phenomena of skyrmions.
Figure 5: Experimental data for skyrmion magnetic resonances in Cu2OSeO3.
Figure 6: Simulations of the skyrmion motion driven by current.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge N. Kanazawa, M. Ishida, Y. Onose and X.Z. Yu for their help in preparing the manuscript. This work was supported by Grant-in-Aids for Scientific Research (Nos. 24224009) from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, Strategic International Cooperative Program (Joint Research Type) from Japan Science and Technology Agency, and by Funding Program for World-Leading Innovative R&D on Science and Technology (FIRST Program).

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  1. RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), Wako, 351-0198, Japan

    Naoto Nagaosa & Yoshinori Tokura

  2. Department of Applied Physics, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan

    Naoto Nagaosa & Yoshinori Tokura

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  1. Naoto Nagaosa
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  2. Yoshinori Tokura
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Correspondence to Naoto Nagaosa.

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Nagaosa, N., Tokura, Y. Topological properties and dynamics of magnetic skyrmions. Nature Nanotech 8, 899–911 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2013.243

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