The energy cost associated with modern information technologies has been increasing exponentially over time, stimulating the search for alternative information storage and processing devices. Magnetic skyrmions are solitonic nanometer-scale quasiparticles whose unique topological properties can be thought of as that of a Mobius strip. Skyrmions are envisioned as information carriers in novel information processing and storage devices with low power consumption and high information density. As such, they could contribute to solving the energy challenge. In order to be used in applications, isolated skyrmions must be thermally stable at the scale of years. In this work, their stability is studied through two main approaches: the Kramers' method in the form of Langer's theory, and the forward flux sampling method. Good agreement is found between the two methods. We find that small skyrmions possess low internal energy barriers, but are stabilized by a large activation entropy. This is a direct consequence of the existence of stable modes of deformation of the skyrmion. Additionally, frustrated exchange that arises at some transition metal interfaces leads to new collapse paths in the form of the partial nucleation of the corresponding antiparticle, as merons and antimerons.

Magnetic skyrmions are particle-like objects described by localized solutions of non-linear partial differential equations. Up until a few decades ago, it was believed that magnetic skyrmions only existed in condensed matter as short-term excitations that would quickly collapse into linear singularities. The contrary was proven theoretically in 1989 and evidentially in 2009. It is now known that skyrmions can exist as long-living metastable configurations in low-symmetry condensed matter systems with broken mirror symmetry, increasing the potential applications possible. Magnetic Skyrmions and their Applications delves into the fundamental principles and most recent research and developments surrounding these unique magnetic particles. Despite achievements in the synthesis of systems stabilizing chiral magnetic skyrmions and the variety of experimental investigations and numerical calculations, there have not been many summaries of the fundamental physical principles governing magnetic skyrmions or integrating those concepts with methods of detection, characterization and potential applications. Magnetic Skyrmions and their Applications delivers a coherent, state-of-the-art discussion on the current knowledge and potential applications of magnetic skyrmions in magnetic materials and device applications. First the book reviews key concepts such as topology, magnetism and materials for magnetic skyrmions. Then, charactization methods, physical mechanisms, and emerging applications are discussed. - Covers background knowledge and details the basic principles of magnetic skyrmions, including materials, characterization, statics and dynamics - Reviews materials for skyrmion stabilization including bulk materials and interface-dominated multilayer materials - Describes both well-known and unconventional applications of magnetic skyrmions, such as memristors and reservoir computing

Solid State Physics, Volume 72, the latest release in this long-running serial, highlights new advances in the field with this new volume presenting interesting and timely chapters authored by an international board of experts. Chapters in this release include Roadmap: The influence of the internal domain wall structure on spin wave band structure in periodic magnetic stripe domain patterns, The influence of the internal domain wall structure on spin wave band structure in periodic magnetic stripe domain patterns, and more. - Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors - Presents the latest release in the Solid State Physics series

This book presents both experimental and theoretical aspects of topology in magnetism. It first discusses how the topology in real space is relevant for a variety of magnetic spin structures, including domain walls, vortices, skyrmions, and dynamic excitations, and then focuses on the phenomena that are driven by distinct topology in reciprocal momentum space, such as anomalous and spin Hall effects, topological insulators, and Weyl semimetals. Lastly, it examines how topology influences dynamic phenomena and excitations (such as spin waves, magnons, localized dynamic solitons, and Majorana fermions). The book also shows how these developments promise to lead the transformative revolution of information technology.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the fascinating recent developments in atomic- and nanoscale magnetism, including the physics of individual magnetic adatoms and single spins, the synthesis of molecular magnets for spintronic applications, and the magnetic properties of small clusters as well as non-collinear spin textures, such as spin spirals and magnetic skyrmions in ultrathin films and nanostructures. Starting from the level of atomic-scale magnetic interactions, the book addresses the emergence of many-body states in quantum magnetism and complex spin states resulting from the competition of such interactions, both experimentally and theoretically. It also introduces novel microscopic and spectroscopic techniques to reveal the exciting physics of magnetic adatom arrays and nanostructures at ultimate spatial and temporal resolution and demonstrates their applications using various insightful examples. The book is intended for researchers and graduate students interested in recent developments of one of the most fascinating fields of condensed matter physics.

This book provides extensive and novel insights into transport phenomena in MnSi, paving the way for applying the topology and chirality of spin textures to the development of spintronics devices. In particular, it describes in detail the key measurements, e.g. magnetoresistance and nonlinear electronic transport, and multiple material-fabrication techniques based on molecular beam epitaxy, ion-beam microfabrication and micromagnetic simulation. The book also reviews key aspects of B20-type MnSi chiral magnets, which host magnetic skyrmions, nanoscale objects formed by helical spatial spin structures. Readers are then introduced to cutting-edge findings on the material. Furthermore, by reviewing the author’s successful experiments, the book provides readers with a valuable update on the latest achievements in the measurement and fabrication of magnetic materials in spintronics.

"The book reviews all the aspects of recent developments in research on skyrmions, from the presentation of the observation and characterization techniques to the description of physical properties and expected applications. It will be of great use for all scientists working in this field." – Albert Fert, 2007 Nobel Laureate in Physics (from the Foreword) A skyrmion is a tiny region of reversed magnetization – quasiparticles since they are not present except in a magnetic state, and also give rise to physics that cannot be described by Maxwell’s equations. These particles are fascinating subjects for theoretical and experimental studies. Moreover, as a new type of magnetic domain structure with special topological structures, skyrmions feature outstanding magnetic and transport properties and may well have applications in data storage and other advanced spintronic devices, as readers will see in this book. Chapters address the relationships between physical properties of condensed matter, such as the AB effect, Berry phase effect, quantum Hall effect, and topological insulators. Overall, it provides a timely introduction to the fundamental aspects and possible applications of magnetic skyrmions to an interdisciplinary audience from condensed matter physics, chemistry, and materials science.

A geometric figure has chirality, or handedness, if its mirror image cannot be brought to coincide with itself. The concept of chirality was instrumental in establishing the tetrahedral valences of the carbon atom, and has continued to play a key role in chemistry and molecular biology ever since.The fact that living organisms use only one of two mirror isomers of such molecules as amino acids and sugars, that is, the question of the origin of homochirality of the molecular basis of life, remains an unsolved problem of the same dignity as the origin of dark matter and dark energy.The increasing importance of chirality and topology in condensed matter physics and chemistry, and the production of new states of matter in heavy-ion collisions, have brought the concept of chirality into physics and cosmology in a tangible way while at the same time expanded the physics/chemistry interface. The book is the first to address all aspects of chirality in a single volume.

Magnetic skyrmionics is an advanced and active research field, which involves fundamental physics, the creation of efficient next-generation high-density information devices, the formation and manipulation of nanometer-size skyrmions in devices, and the development of compatible materials at room temperature. The magnetic skyrmions found in magnetic materials exhibit spiral magnetism. This book presents a basic overview of magnetic skyrmions along with current research on magnetic skyrmions, emphasizing formation mechanisms and materials design strategies. This book is suitable for an interdisciplinary audience of undergraduates, graduates, engineers, scientists, and researchers in the development of the next generation of spintronic devices.