Smaller, faster, and more efficient electronic devices are a vital part of the UK’s economic growth and industrial innovation. This is directly evidenced by the recent publication of the Royce road mapping exercise for low loss electronics.
Spintronics, involves the utilisation of the intrinsic spin of electrons to process information in a way that is analogous to charge in traditional electronics. The benefits of this approach will lead to more efficient, low energy consumption devices that are faster than their charge-based counterparts.
One of the approaches on the way to implementation of green ICT is magnetic skyrmions. We are currently investigating how skyrmions can be utilised as next-gen information carriers in addition to developing the metrological framework associated with measurements of skyrmions. Skyrmions are of interest due to their ability to be manipulated and moved with spin polarised electrical currents at very low current densities.
Additionally, their inherent stability which arises due to the unique topology, affords them particle like properties and nanoscale size. This makes them perfect candidates for novel logic/storage architectures for low loss electronic devices. It is also why they have received attention for their applicability to be incorporated into low loss neuromorphic inspired devices with skyrmion based synapse and neuron devices demonstrated.
Projects
TOPS a collaborative project with Euramet aims to progress topologically-protected spin structures (TSS) towards standardisation and support Europe’s continuing expertise and competitiveness in electronic device manufacturing.
The project will develop and validate measurement tools and techniques for describing TSS, helping to identify key parameters that determine the formation, size and stability.
Publications
Using a combination of controlled nucleation, single skyrmion annihilation, and magnetic field dependent measurements the thermoelectric signature of individual skyrmions is characterised. Thermoelectric Signature of Individual Skyrmions
Our recent research on the role of the underlying magnetic energy landscape and skyrmion-skyrmion interactions in chiral magnetic multilayer systems Diameter-independent skyrmion Hall angle observed in chiral magnetic multilayers
Demonstrating single skyrmion manipulation using local field gradients from a magnetic force microscopy probe. Individual skyrmion manipulation by local magnetic field gradients
Demonstration of skyrmion lattice formation via interaction with a magnetic force microspy probe. Direct writing of room temperature and zero field skyrmion lattices by a scanning local magnetic field