US 10,312,436 B2 · Ground state artificial skyrmion lattices at room temperature

Abstract

A method for fabricating artificial skyrmions and skyrmion lattices with a stable ground state at room temperature and in the absence of magnetic fields is provided. The lattices are formed by patterning vortex-state nanodots over macroscopic areas on top of an underlayer with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA); and preparing artificial skyrmion lattices using ion irradiation to suppress PMA in the underlayer and allow imprinting of the vortex structure from the nanodots to form the skyrmion lattices. Alternatively the skyrmions can be formed by ion-irradiating select asymmetric nanodot regions of the PMA underlayer, leading to planar skyrmions without nanodot protrusions. These artificial skyrmions can be used for low dissipation information storage, such as magnetic memory, logic devices and sensors.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A method for fabricating artificial skyrmions and skyrmion lattices with a stable ground state at room temperature, the method comprising:

(a) providing a substrate with an underlayer with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA);
(b) applying a template layer to a top surface of the underlayer;
(c) patterning the template layer with one or more asymmetrically shaped openings exposing the underlayer;
(d) irradiating the exposed underlayer with ions;
(e) forming asymmetrically shaped structures on the irradiated underlayer;
(f) removing the template layer;
and
(g) setting the skyrmion state.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Ground state artificial skyrmion lattices at room temperature

Life of this patent

Ground state artificial skyrmion lattices at room temperature

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24