Single-crystal neutron scattering of an intermetallic skyrmion lattice candidate

Current data storage technologies are expected to reach their fundamental limits before the end of this decade. Newer technologies are necessary, and much promise is shown by memories based on exotic magnets. One such memory technology is based on magnetic skyrmions, which are stable nanoscale swirls of magnetic moment that can be controlled by small electrical currents. Only a few dozen materials hosting skyrmions are known, and here we intend to expand this list. We have found that an intermetallic compound of tin and a lanthanide metal may host magnetic skyrmions, and to conclusively determine that, we propose to do single-crystal neutron scattering measurements at ISIS WISH, and determine the magnetic structure of the material.

当前的数据存储技术预计将在本世纪末前触及其基础性能极限。开发新型存储技术势在必行，而基于非常规磁体的存储器展现出巨大应用前景。其中一类此类存储技术基于磁性斯格明子（magnetic skyrmions）——这类稳定的纳米级磁矩涡旋结构可通过微弱电流实现调控。目前已知可承载斯格明子的材料仅数十种，本研究拟拓展该材料列表。我们已发现一种由锡与镧系金属构成的金属间化合物可能承载磁性斯格明子；为确凿验证这一结论，我们拟在ISIS WISH中子源开展单晶中子散射实验，以解析该材料的磁结构。