arXiv subjects

Maria Azhar

Publications and source records attributed to Maria Azhar.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Topological Classification of Non-Normalizable Vector Fields

Topological classification of physical vector fields conventionally relies on field normalization and homotopy-based invariants. However, when field amplitudes vanish, normalization becomes ill-defined, preventing a direct topological characterization. Here, we introduce a general framework for the topological classification of non-normalizable $n$-dimensional vector fields with compactifiable base spaces by transforming them into $(n+1)$-dimensional normalized vector fields. This construction extends homotopy-based classification to fields containing amplitude zeros. We explicitly demonstrate the approach for one-, two-, and three-dimensional non-normalized vector fields and derive the corresponding topological invariants. The resulting topological charges are robust under continuous deformations and can change only when the embedding structure becomes singular. Our framework provides a unified route to the topological characterization of non-normalizable fields and opens the door to the study of topological phenomena in a broad range of systems, including magnetic textures, ferroelectrics, electromagnetic fields, and wave systems.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2026

The 2026 Skyrmionics Roadmap

Magnetic skyrmions and related topological spin textures have emerged as a central topic in condensed-matter physics, combining fundamental significance with potential for transformative applications in spintronics, magnonics, and beyond. Over the past decade, advances in material platforms, imaging techniques, theoretical modeling, and device concepts have established skyrmionics as a rapidly expanding field. At the same time, challenges remain in stabilizing, controlling, and integrating such textures into functional architectures, while novel phenomena such as antiskyrmions, higher-order skyrmions, hopfions, and antiferromagnetic textures arise. The 2026 Skyrmionics Roadmap represents a collective effort of many authors, providing a comprehensive perspective on the current state-of-the-art and the outlook for the coming years. In 33 focused sections, each co-authored by two researchers, we chart progress in theory and modeling, material systems, skyrmion dynamics, and skyrmion technologies. By offering a consolidated vision, this Roadmap aims to guide both fundamental research and application-driven efforts, accelerating the transition of skyrmionics from conceptual breakthroughs toward practical technologies.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2026

Hopfions in screw chiral magnets

Three-dimensional topological spin textures have attracted growing interest due to their rich geometry and potential for functional magnetic phenomena. In this work, we propose the concept of symmetry-transforming magnetic models as a novel route to generate and stabilize complex three-dimensional textures in an arbitrary magnetic background. Using this framework, we predict a screw chiral magnet model that stabilizes magnetic Hopfions and other three-dimensional magnetic textures within a ferromagnetic background. We show that the resulting solitons display distinctive physical properties, including unconventional Goldstone modes. Our results establish continuous symmetry transformations as a general strategy for uncovering new classes of magnetic solitons with unique dynamical signatures.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2025

$\mathbb{Z}_2$ Vortex Crystals in Tetrahedral Antiferromagnets: Fractional Charges and Topological Magnons

We report the formation of a $\mathbb{Z}_2$ vortex crystal in the tetrahedral antiferromagnetic order on a triangular lattice. The noncoplanar tetrahedral state consists of four sublattices with spins oriented along the faces of a tetrahedron in spin space. The long-range order characterized by a $\mathbb{Z}_2$ topology arises due to the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and appears at zero temperature and without external fields. Each vortex carries a half-integer electric charge relative to the uniform background in itinerant magnets, enabling the emergence of anyonic excitations. Its magnetic excitations include magnetically active gyrotropic and breathing modes, which -- under an external magnetic field -- carry nontrivial Chern numbers that stabilize chiral magnon edge states.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

3D Magnetic Textures with Mixed Topology: Unlocking the Tunable Hopf Index

Knots and links play a crucial role in understanding topology and discreteness in nature. In magnetic systems, twisted, knotted and braided vortex tubes manifest as Skyrmions, Hopfions, or screw dislocations. These complex textures are characterized by topologically non-trivial quantities, such as a Skyrmion number, a Hopf index $H$, a Burgers vector (quantified by an integer $\nu$), and linking numbers. In this work, we introduce a discrete geometric definition of $H$ for periodic magnetic textures, which can be separated into contributions from the self-linking and inter-linking of flux tubes. We show that fractional Hopfions or textures with non-integer values of $H$ naturally arise and can be interpreted as states of ``mixed topology" that are continuously transformable to one of the multiple possible topological sectors. Our findings demonstrate a solid physical foundation for the Hopf index to take integer, non-integer, or specific fractional values, depending on the underlying topology of the system.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Numerical Calculation of the Hopf Index for 3D Magnetic Textures

To gain deeper insight into the complex, stable, and robust configurations of magnetic textures, topological characterisation has proven essential. In particular, while the skyrmion number is a well-established topological invariant for 2D magnetic textures, the Hopf index serves as a key topological descriptor for 3D magnetic structures. In this work, we present and compare various methods for numerically calculating the Hopf index, provide implementations, and offer a detailed analysis of their accuracy and computational efficiency. Additionally, we identify and address common pitfalls and challenges associated with the numerical computation of the Hopf index, offering insights for improving the robustness of these techniques.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Screw dislocations in cubic chiral magnets

Helimagnets realize an effective lamellar ordering that supports disclination and dislocation defects. Here, we investigate the micromagnetic structure of screw dislocation lines in cubic chiral magnets using analytical and numerical methods. The far field of these dislocations is universal and classified by an integer strength $\nu$ that characterizes the winding of magnetic moments. We demonstrate that a rich variety of dislocation-core structures can be realized even for the same strength $\nu$. In particular, the magnetization at the core can be either smooth or singular. We present a specific example with $\nu = 1$ for which the core is composed of a chain of singular Bloch points. In general, screw dislocations carry a non-integer but finite skyrmion charge so that they can be efficiently manipulated by spin currents.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Squeezing N\'eel-type Magnetic Modulations by Enhanced Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction of $4d$ Electrons

In polar magnets, such as GaV$_4$S$_8$, GaV$_4$Se$_8$ and VOSe$_2$O$_5$, modulated magnetic phases namely the cycloidal and the N\'eel-type skyrmion lattice states were identified over extended temperature ranges, even down to zero Kelvin. Our combined small-angle neutron scattering and magnetization study shows the robustness of the N\'eel-type magnetic modulations also against magnetic fields up to 2 T in the polar GaMo$_4$S$_8$. In addition to the large upper critical field, enhanced spin-orbit coupling produces a variety of modulated phases with sub-10 nm periodicity and a peculiar distribution of the magnetic modulation vectors. Thus, our work demonstrates that non-centrosymmetric magnets with $4d$ and $5d$ electron systems are ideal candidates to host highly compressed magnetic spirals and skyrmions.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Incommensurate spiral order from double exchange interactions

The double exchange model describing interactions of itinerant electrons with localized spins is usually used to explain ferromagnetism in metals. We show that for a variety of crystal lattices of different dimensionalities and for a wide range of model parameters the ferromagnetic state is unstable against a non-collinear spiral magnetic order. We revisit the phase diagram of the double exchange model on a triangular lattice and show in a large part of the diagram the incommensurate spiral state has a lower energy than the previously discussed commensurate states. These results indicate that double exchange systems are inherently frustrated and can host unconventional spin orders.

cond-mat.str-el↗