Topic of the Talk: Imaging and Manipulating Individual Magnetic Skyrmions by Spin-Polarized Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Invited Speaker: Prof. Pin-Jui Hsu (NTHU)

Time: Sept. 27. Thur. 2018

Venue: SC001 Lecture Hall

Abstract: 

Magnetic skyrmions are topologically protected quasiparticles with whirling spin textures. They offer promising perspectives  which are envisioned to be used as bits in next-generation information technology and skyrmion-based devices. In this talk, I will first report on the studies of magnetic skyrmions in Fe triple-layer (TL) on Ir(111), they show an anisotropic shape due to inherited structural reconstructions followed by Fe double-layer (DL) underneath as resolved by using spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy. By exploiting the electric fields between the tip and sample, single skyrmions on Fe-TL can be created and annihilated in a controllable fashion. In addition, I will also talk about the isotropic magnetic skyrmions stabilized on Fe-DL by loading the sample with hydrogen atoms. To understand the underlying mechanism, ab initio calculations have been performed and attribute to an increased interlayer distance and consequently modified magnetic interactions, which suggests that hydrogenation provides a unique pathway to engineer crucial magnetic parameters and enables a drastic change in tuning noncollinear magnetism in low-dimensional magnetic materials.