Magnus induced diode effect for skyrmions in channels with periodic potentials

Using a particle based model, we investigate the skyrmion dynamical behavior in a channel where the upper wall contains divots of one depth and the lower wall contains divots of a different depth. Under an applied driving force, skyrmions in the channels move with a finite skyrmion Hall angle that deflects them toward the upper wall for -x direction driving and the lower wall for +x direction driving. When the upper divots have zero height, the skyrmions are deflected against the flat upper wall for -x direction driving and the skyrmion velocity depends linearly on the drive. For +x direction driving, the skyrmions are pushed against the lower divots and become trapped, giving reduced velocities and a nonlinear velocity-force response. When there are shallow divots on the upper wall and deep divots on the lower wall, skyrmions get trapped for both driving directions; however, due to the divot depth difference, skyrmions move more easily under -x direction driving, and become strongly trapped for +x direction driving. The preferred -x direction motion produces what we call a Magnus diode effect since it vanishes in the limit of zero Magnus force, unlike the diode effects observed for asymmetric sawtooth potentials. We show that the transport curves can exhibit a series of jumps or dips, negative differential conductivity, and reentrant pinning due to collective trapping events. We also discuss how our results relate to recent continuum modeling on a similar skyrmion diode system.

Automated summary

Using a particle based model, this study investigates the dynamic behavior of skyrmions in a channel with different depth divots on the upper and lower walls. The research reveals that under an applied driving force, skyrmions exhibit a finite skyrmion Hall angle, deflecting towards the upper wall for -x direction driving and the lower wall for +x direction driving. Various trapping phenomena and non-linear velocity-force responses are observed depending on the depth differences of the divots. The study also discusses the implications of these findings for continuum modeling of similar skyrmion diode systems.