Large Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and room-temperature nanoscale skyrmions in CoFeB/MgO heterostructures

Chen R, Wang X, Cheng H, Lee KJ, Xiong D, Kim JY, Li S, Yang H, Zhang H, Cao K, Klaui M, Peng S, Zhang X, Zhao W (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Cell Reports Physical Science Cell Press

Book Volume: 2

Article Number: 100618

Journal Issue: 11

DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2021.100618

Abstract

Magnetic skyrmions in heavy metal (HM)/CoFeB/MgO structures are of particular interest for skyrmion-based magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices because of their reliable generation, stability, and readout through purely electrical methods. To optimize the properties, such as stability, a strong Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) is required at room temperature. Here, using first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that huge DMI can be obtained in Ir/CoFe structures with an Fe-terminated configuration. Moreover, Brillouin light-scattering measurements show that indeed Ta/Ir/Co20Fe60B20/MgO thin films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy exhibit a large DMI value (1.13 mJ/m2) when the thickness of the CoFeB layer is 1.1 nm, which can be attributed to the smooth and Fe-rich interface between Ir and CoFeB layers. Furthermore, we observe stable sub-100 nm magnetic skyrmions at room temperature in the Ir/CoFeB/MgO systems by magnetic force microscope. This work paves the way for promoting the application of skyrmions in CoFeB/MgO-based perpendicular anisotropy MTJ structures.

Involved external institutions

Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (JGU) DE Germany (DE) Beihang University, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA) / 北京航空航天大学 CN China (CN) Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) / 中国科学院 CN China (CN)

How to cite

APA:

Chen, R., Wang, X., Cheng, H., Lee, K.-J., Xiong, D., Kim, J.-Y.,... Zhao, W. (2021). Large Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and room-temperature nanoscale skyrmions in CoFeB/MgO heterostructures. Cell Reports Physical Science, 2(11). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2021.100618

MLA:

Chen, Runze, et al. "Large Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and room-temperature nanoscale skyrmions in CoFeB/MgO heterostructures." Cell Reports Physical Science 2.11 (2021).

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