Robust Skyrmion Shift Device Through Engineering the Local Exchange-Bias Field

• Published in: Physical review applied 2020-10, Vol.14 (4), Article 044008
• Main Authors: Yan, Z.R., Liu, Y.Z., Guang, Y., Feng, J.F., Lake, R.K., Yu, G.Q., Han, X.F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
• ISSN: 2331-7019; 2331-7019
• DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevApplied.14.044008

Magnetic skyrmions are topologically protected spin structures, offering great promise as information carriers for future spintronic devices. However, a series of challenges, such as unreliable skyrmion motion, pinning effects, and a weak read-out signal, prevent the development of skyrmionic applications. The recently demonstrated capability to engineer the local exchange-bias field (LEBF) in an exchange biased composite, provides solutions to these challenges. By exploiting LEBF, we design and analyze a robust skyrmion shift device. LEBF-induced magnetic domain walls form the boundary of the device channel, and LEBF potential wells are implemented in the channel for positioning skyrmions. Based on simulations with comprehensive models, we demonstrate the proposed device has the advantages of (i) localizing the skyrmions in the absence of current, (ii) suppressing skyrmion annihilation during transport, (iii) promoting steady skyrmion motion, (iv) enhancing the skyrmion velocity, and (v) magnifying the read-out signal. Our results form the basis for the design of robust skyrmion devices through LEBF engineering.