Spontaneous Magnetic Skyrmions in Single-Layer CrInX<sub>3</sub> (X = Te, Se).

Du, Wenhui; Dou, Kaiying; He, Zhonglin; Dai, Ying; Huang, Baibiao; Ma, Yandong · Nano Lett · 2022

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The realization of magnetic skyrmions in nanostructures holds great promise for both fundamental research and device applications. Despite recent progress, intrinsic magnetic skyrmions in two-dimensional lattice are still rarely explored. Here, using first-principles calculations and Monte Carlo simulations, we report the identification of spontaneous magnetic skyrmions in single-layer CrInX<sub>3</sub> (X = Te, Se). Because of the joint effect of broken inversion symmetry and strong spin-orbit coupling, inherent large Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction occurs in both systems, endowing the intriguing Néel-type skyrmions. By further imposing moderate magnetic field, the skyrmion phase can be obtained and is stable within a wide temperature range. Particularly for single-layer CrInTe<sub>3</sub>, the size of skyrmions is sub-10 nm and the skyrmion phase can be maintained at an elevated temperature of ∼180 K. In addition, the phase diagrams of their topological spin textures under the variation of magnetic parameters of <i>D</i>, <i>J</i>, and <i>K</i> are mapped out.