Real-space observation of ferroelectrically induced magnetic spin crystal in SrRuO<sub>3</sub>.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 33790268.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-021-22165-5 and PMC identifier 8012650.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Unusual features in the Hall Resistivity of thin film systems are frequently associated with whirling spin textures such as Skyrmions. A host of recent investigations of Hall Hysteresis loops in SrRuO<sub>3</sub> heterostructures have provided conflicting evidence for different causes for such features. We have constructed an SrRuO<sub>3</sub>-PbTiO<sub>3</sub> (Ferromagnetic - Ferroelectric) bilayer that exhibits features in the Hall Hysteresis previously attributed to a Topological Hall Effect, and Skyrmions. Here we show field dependent Magnetic Force Microscopy measurements throughout the key fields where the 'THE' presents, revealing the emergence to two periodic, chiral spin textures. The zero-field cycloidal phase, which then transforms into a 'double-q' incommensurate spin crystal appears over the appearance of the 'Topological-like' Hall effect region, and develop into a ferromagnetic switching regime as the sample reaches saturation, and the 'Topological-like' response diminishes. Scanning Tunnelling Electron Microscopy and Density Functional Theory is used to observe and analyse surface inversion symmetry breaking and confirm the role of an interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction at the heart of the system.