Voltage-controlled magnetic skyrmions in magnetic tunnel junctions

We investigated the fully electrical manipulation of magnetic skyrmions in combination with magnetic tunnel junctions. The high output voltage due to the tunneling magnetoresistance effect allows us to detect the single skyrmion, and its size can be identified around 220 nm in diameter. We also demonstrate skyrmion creation and annihilation by applying nano-second pulsed voltage, which offers the fully electrical memory function based on the magnetic skyrmion. (C) 2019 The Japan Society of Applied Physics