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arXiv · 2006.12035

Towards skyrmion-superconductor hybrid systems

André Kubetzka·Jan M. Bürger·Roland Wiesendanger·Kirsten von Bergmann
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Abstract

Spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy is used to identify the magnetic state of different thin films on a Re(0001) substrate, which becomes superconducting below 1.7 K. All magnetic films contain an Fe/Ir interface, which is known to facilitate the emergence of non-collinear magnetic order. For Fe monolayers on ultra-thin Ir films of different thickness we find several different atomic-scale magnetic states. For Pd/Fe bilayers we find nano-scale spin spirals as magnetic ground states for Ir thicknesses of three and four atomic layers. In applied magnetic fields skyrmions emerge, and in remanence non-trivial magnetic textures survive. This demonstrates the possibility to prepare skryrmion-hosting magnetic films on superconducting substrates.

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André Kubetzka, Jan M. Bürger, Roland Wiesendanger, Kirsten von Bergmann. 2020-06-22. Towards skyrmion-superconductor hybrid systems. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevmaterials.4.081401

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