Edge instabilities and skyrmion creation in magnetic layers. (13th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Müller, Jan; Rosch, Achim; Garst, Markus
• Is Part Of: New journal of physics. Volume 18:Number 6(2016:Jun.)
• Publication Date: 2016-06-13
• Subjects: skyrmions -- spin waves -- chiral magnets; 75.78.-n -- 75.75.-c -- 12.39.Dc; Physics -- Periodicals; Physics; Periodicals; 530.05
• DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/18/6/065006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1367-2630

Abstract

Abstract: We study both analytically and numerically the edge of two-dimensional ferromagnets with Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya (DM) interactions, considering both chiral magnets and magnets with interface-induced DM interactions. We show that in the field-polarized (FP) ferromagnetic phase magnon states exist which are bound to the edge, and we calculate their spectra within a continuum field theory. Upon lowering an external magnetic field, these bound magnons condense at a finite momentum and the edge becomes locally unstable. Micromagnetic simulations demonstrate that this edge instability triggers the creation of a helical phase which penetrates the FP state within the bulk. A subsequent increase of the magnetic field allows to create skyrmions close to the edge in a controlled manner.