Néel-type skyrmion lattice with confined orientation in the polar magnetic semiconductor GaV4S8.
Nat Mater
; 14(11): 1116-22, 2015 Nov.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26343913
Following the early prediction of the skyrmion lattice (SkL)--a periodic array of spin vortices--it has been observed recently in various magnetic crystals mostly with chiral structure. Although non-chiral but polar crystals with Cnv symmetry were identified as ideal SkL hosts in pioneering theoretical studies, this archetype of SkL has remained experimentally unexplored. Here, we report the discovery of a SkL in the polar magnetic semiconductor GaV4S8 with rhombohedral (C3v) symmetry and easy axis anisotropy. The SkL exists over an unusually broad temperature range compared with other bulk crystals and the orientation of the vortices is not controlled by the external magnetic field, but instead confined to the magnetic easy axis. Supporting theory attributes these unique features to a new Néel-type of SkL describable as a superposition of spin cycloids in contrast to the Bloch-type SkL in chiral magnets described in terms of spin helices.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nat Mater
Asunto de la revista:
CIENCIA
/
QUIMICA
Año:
2015
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Hungria
Pais de publicación:
Reino Unido