Formation and rotation of skyrmion crystal in the chiral-lattice insulator Cu2OSeO3
Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review
Contributors
Abstract
Small-angle neutron scattering experiments were performed on a bulk single crystal of chiral-lattice multiferroic insulator Cu2OSeO3. In the absence of an external magnetic field, helical spin order with magnetic modulation vector q parallel to < 001 > was identified. When a magnetic field is applied, a triple-q magnetic structure emerges normal to the field in the A phase just below the magnetic ordering temperature T-c, which suggests the formation of a triangular lattice of skyrmions. Notably, the favorable q direction in the A phase changes from q parallel to < 110 > to q parallel to < 001 > upon approaching T-c. Near the phase boundary between these two states, the external magnetic field induces a 30 degrees rotation of the skyrmion lattice. This suggests a delicate balance between the magnetic anisotropy and the spin texture near T-c, such that even a small perturbation significantly affects the ordering pattern of the skyrmions.
Details
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 220406 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Physical Review B |
Volume | 85 |
Issue number | 22 |
Publication status | Published - 22 Jun 2012 |
Peer-reviewed | Yes |
Externally published | Yes |
External IDs
Scopus | 84863314146 |
---|
Keywords
Keywords
- MULTIFERROICS, MNSI