Manipulation of Magnetic Skyrmion in a 2D van der Waals Heterostructure via Both Electric and Magnetic Fields

As a promising candidate for the much-desired low power consumption spintronic devices, 2D magnetic van der Waals material also provides a versatile platform for the design and control of topological spin textures. In this work on WTe2/CrCl3 bilayer van der Waals heterostructures, a complete Neel-type skyrmion-bimeron-ferromagnet phase transition is demonstrated, accompanied by the evolution of the topological number. This cyclic transition, mediated by a perpendicular magnetic field, is largely driven by the competition between the out-of-plane magnetocrystalline anisotropy and magnetic dipole-dipole interaction. In the presence of a driving current, the Neel-type skyrmion gains a higher velocity yet larger skyrmion Hall angle, in comparison to the bimeron. By incorporating a ferroelectric CuInP2S6 monolayer as a substrate, writing and erasing of skyrmions may be regulated using a ferroelectric polarization. This work sheds light on a novel approach to the design and control of magnetic skyrmions on 2D van der Waals materials.

Automated summary

This work demonstrates a complete Neel-type skyrmion-bimeron-ferromagnet phase transition in WTe2/CrCl3 bilayer van der Waals heterostructures, driven by the competition between out-of-plane magnetocrystalline anisotropy and magnetic dipole-dipole interaction. With the addition of a ferroelectric CuInP2S6 monolayer as a substrate, writing and erasing of skyrmions can be regulated using ferroelectric polarization. This study provides insight into a novel approach for the design and control of magnetic skyrmions on 2D van der Waals materials.