Magnetic skyrmion dynamics induced by surface acoustic waves

Magnetic skyrmions are promising information carriers for high-density memories. The dynamical motion of magnetic skyrmions have been extensively investigated in the development of magnetic racetracks. In this study, a surface acoustic wave (SAW) is theoretically investigated to drive skyrmions by using micromagnetic simulations. The in-plane type and out-of-plane particle displacement components of SAWs generate different magnetoelastic effective fields. The shear horizontal (SH) wave mode SAW drives skyrmions flow movement by the magnetoelastic coupling effect. Increasing the acoustic wave amplitude and magnetoelastic coupling constants, as well as a reduced wavelength, are beneficial for an enhanced skyrmion motion velocity. The skyrmion motion trajectory can be controlled by designing the geometry of magnetic films. Interestingly, in a circular magnetic film, the skyrmions driven by SH waves show clockwise or counterclockwise movement trajectories depending on the sign of topological charges. Our results provide an energy efficient approach to drive skyrmion dynamics including rotational motion, thus paving the way for low-power spintronics.

Automated summary

In this study, the effect of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) on the motion of magnetic skyrmions is investigated using micromagnetic simulations. Different types and directions of SAWs generate different magnetoelastic effective fields, leading to the movement of skyrmions. Increasing the amplitude and magnetoelastic coupling constants of the acoustic wave, as well as reducing the wavelength, enhances the skyrmion motion velocity. The trajectory of skyrmion motion can be controlled through the design of the magnetic film geometry. Interestingly, in a circular magnetic film, skyrmions driven by SH waves exhibit clockwise or counterclockwise movement depending on the sign of topological charges. These results provide an energy efficient approach for driving skyrmion dynamics and have implications for low-power spintronics.