Creation and observation of Hopfions in magnetic multilayers

Scientific Achievement

Artist drawing of the characteristic 3-dimensional spin texture of a magnetic Hopfion. The top layer shows a simulation of the spin structure viewed with surface-sensitive X-PEEM, the bottom part is a simulation of an x-ray microscopy image as expected from bulk-sensitive transmission X-ray microscopy. The torus in the center shows the isosurface of zero out-of-plane magnetization, where the colors indicate the varying direction of the spins.

Experimental synthesis and validation of magnetic Hopfions through observation of their characteristic three-dimensional (3D) spin texture using a combination of surface and bulk-sensitive X-ray microscopy techniques

Significance and Impact

Confirmed theoretical predictions of magnetic Hopfions. The work will stimulate further experimental studies towards the potential applications of Hopfions in 3D spintronics

Research Details

Asymmetric magnetic (Ir/Co/Pt) multilayers were patterned by e-beam lithography into nanopillars
A combined magnetic X-ray photoemission and transmission soft x-ray microscopy study revealed characteristic spin textures confirming the creation of a magnetic Hopfion.
Theoretical simulations guided design of multilayer stack’s PMA values to stabilize magnetic Hopfions

N. Kent, N. Reynolds, D. Raftrey, I.T.G. Campbell, S. Virasawmy, S. Dhuey, R. V. Chopdekar, A. Hierro-Rodriguez, A. Sorrentino, E. Pereiro, S. Ferrer, F. Hellman, P. Sutcliffe, P. Fischer, Nature Communications 12 1562 (2021)

Scientific Achievement

Significance and Impact

Research Details

N. Kent, N. Reynolds, D. Raftrey, I.T.G. Campbell, S. Virasawmy, S. Dhuey, R. V. Chopdekar, A. Hierro-Rodriguez, A. Sorrentino, E. Pereiro, S. Ferrer, F. Hellman, P. Sutcliffe, P. Fischer, Nature Communications 12 1562 (2021)

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