Scientists Divide Magnetic Vortices into Collectivists and Individualists

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“Our experiment has revealed a clear distinction between the two different states of the skyrmion phase,” said Prof. Sergey Demishev. “In simple terms, this experimental fact means that MnSi has two types of skyrmion lattices with a different physical nature. The area with isotropic resistance corresponds to the skyrmion lattice formed as a result of the condensation of individual magnetic vortices. The surrounding pocket  which extends in the direction H||[001] is a complex anisotropic magnetic phase which is not able to break down into individual quasi-particles – skyrmions. Observations of a skyrmion lattice consisting of individual vortices confirm the profound analogy with type II superconductors, the mixed state of which is formed by Abrikosov-type vortices”.

From a practical point of view, individual skyrmions can be used to transmit and store information and perform various logical operations. Magnetic vortices in existing specially prepared film structures – nanopillars, are significantly larger, and occur as a result of a specific mode of magnetic fluctuations in a limited area. Therefore, spintronics, which is based on the use of individual quasi-particles or skyrmions, will open up new prospects for miniaturizing devices and will reduce control currents. The only thing that physicists need to do now is to find materials similar to high-temperature superconductors, in which tiny magnetic vortices will be stable at room temperatures.

Fig. 2 Types of magnetic structure of manganese monosilicide MnSi depending on magnetic field strength, temperature and crystal orientation. The red area is similar to the mixed state of type II superconductors where the vortex structure is formed as a result of condensation of individual quasi-particles – skyrmions. The pink area shows the region of the anisotropic skyrmion-like phase.

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