Skyrmions in twisted van der Waals magnets

Magnetic skyrmions in two-dimensional (2D) chiral magnets are often stabilized by a combination of a Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and an external magnetic field. Here, we show that skyrmions can also be stabilized in twisted moire superlattices with a Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction in the absence of an external magnetic field. Our setup consists of a 2D ferromagnetic layer twisted on top of an antiferromagnetic substrate. The coupling between the ferromagnetic layer and the substrate generates an effective alternating exchange field. We find a large region of the skyrmion crystal phase when the length scales of the moire periodicity and skyrmions are compatible. Unlike chiral magnets under a magnetic field, skyrmions in moire superlattices show an enhanced stability for the easy-axis (Ising) anisotropy which can be essential to realize skyrmions since most van der Waals magnets possess easy-axis anisotropy.

Automated summary

In this study, it is shown that magnetic skyrmions can be stabilized in twisted moire superlattices without an external magnetic field through the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. The presence of a skyrmion crystal phase requires a matching of length scales between the moire periodicity and the skyrmions. Skyrmions in moire superlattices exhibit enhanced stability for the easy-axis anisotropy, making them potentially crucial for realizing skyrmions in van der Waals magnets with easy-axis anisotropy.