Formation and rotation of skyrmion crystal in the chiral-lattice insulator Cu2OSeO3
Autor: | Seki, S., Kim, J. -H., Inosov, D. S., Georgii, R., Keimer, B., Ishiwata, S., Tokura, Y. |
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Rok vydání: | 2012 |
Předmět: | |
DOI: | 10.48550/arxiv.1206.5220 |
Popis: | Small angle neutron scattering experiments were performed on a bulk single crystal of chiral-lattice multiferroic insulator Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$. In the absence of an external magnetic field, helical spin order with magnetic modulation vector $q \parallel $ 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 $q \parallel $ upon approaching $T_c$. Near the phase boundary between these two states, the external magnetic field induces a 30$^\circ$-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. 5 pages, 4 figures, published as a Rapid Communication in Phys. Rev. B |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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