Magnetic Interactions of the Centrosymmetric Skyrmion Material Gd2PdSi3

Joseph A.M. Paddison; Binod K. Rai; Andrew F. May; Stuart Calder; Matthew B. Stone; Matthias D. Frontzek; Andrew D. Christianson

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.129.137202

Magnetic Interactions of the Centrosymmetric Skyrmion Material Gd2PdSi3

Joseph A.M. Paddison, Binod K. Rai, Andrew F. May, Stuart Calder, Matthew B. Stone, Matthias D. Frontzek, Andrew D. Christianson

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

The experimental realization of magnetic skyrmion crystals in centrosymmetric materials has been driven by theoretical understanding of how a delicate balance of anisotropy and frustration can stabilize topological spin structures in applied magnetic fields. Recently, the centrosymmetric material Gd2PdSi3 was shown to host a field-induced skyrmion crystal, but the skyrmion stabilization mechanism remains unclear. Here, we employ neutron-scattering measurements on an isotopically enriched polycrystalline Gd2PdSi3 sample to quantify the interactions that drive skyrmion formation. Our analysis reveals spatially extended interactions in triangular planes, and large ferromagnetic interplanar magnetic interactions that are modulated by the Pd/Si superstructure. The skyrmion crystal emerges from a zero-field helical magnetic order with magnetic moments perpendicular to the magnetic propagation vector, indicating that the magnetic dipolar interaction plays a significant role. Our experimental results establish an interaction space that can promote skyrmion formation, facilitating identification and design of centrosymmetric skyrmion materials.

Original language	English
Article number	137202
Journal	Physical Review Letters
Volume	129
Issue number	13
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.129.137202
State	Published - Sep 23 2022

Funding

We are grateful to Cristian Batista, Matthew Cliffe, Randy Fishman, Shang Gao, and Stephen Nagler for valuable discussions. This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Sciences and Engineering Division. This research used resources at the High Flux Isotope Reactor and Spallation Neutron Source, DOE Office of Science User Facilities operated by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The isotope used in this research was supplied by the U.S. Department of Energy Isotope Program, managed by the Office of Isotope R&D and Production.

Funders	Funder number
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Science
Basic Energy Sciences
Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering
Office of Isotope R and D and Production

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10.1103/PhysRevLett.129.137202

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title = "Magnetic Interactions of the Centrosymmetric Skyrmion Material Gd2PdSi3",

abstract = "The experimental realization of magnetic skyrmion crystals in centrosymmetric materials has been driven by theoretical understanding of how a delicate balance of anisotropy and frustration can stabilize topological spin structures in applied magnetic fields. Recently, the centrosymmetric material Gd2PdSi3 was shown to host a field-induced skyrmion crystal, but the skyrmion stabilization mechanism remains unclear. Here, we employ neutron-scattering measurements on an isotopically enriched polycrystalline Gd2PdSi3 sample to quantify the interactions that drive skyrmion formation. Our analysis reveals spatially extended interactions in triangular planes, and large ferromagnetic interplanar magnetic interactions that are modulated by the Pd/Si superstructure. The skyrmion crystal emerges from a zero-field helical magnetic order with magnetic moments perpendicular to the magnetic propagation vector, indicating that the magnetic dipolar interaction plays a significant role. Our experimental results establish an interaction space that can promote skyrmion formation, facilitating identification and design of centrosymmetric skyrmion materials.",

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AU - Paddison, Joseph A.M.

AU - Rai, Binod K.

AU - May, Andrew F.

AU - Calder, Stuart

AU - Stone, Matthew B.

AU - Frontzek, Matthias D.

AU - Christianson, Andrew D.

PY - 2022/9/23

Y1 - 2022/9/23

N2 - The experimental realization of magnetic skyrmion crystals in centrosymmetric materials has been driven by theoretical understanding of how a delicate balance of anisotropy and frustration can stabilize topological spin structures in applied magnetic fields. Recently, the centrosymmetric material Gd2PdSi3 was shown to host a field-induced skyrmion crystal, but the skyrmion stabilization mechanism remains unclear. Here, we employ neutron-scattering measurements on an isotopically enriched polycrystalline Gd2PdSi3 sample to quantify the interactions that drive skyrmion formation. Our analysis reveals spatially extended interactions in triangular planes, and large ferromagnetic interplanar magnetic interactions that are modulated by the Pd/Si superstructure. The skyrmion crystal emerges from a zero-field helical magnetic order with magnetic moments perpendicular to the magnetic propagation vector, indicating that the magnetic dipolar interaction plays a significant role. Our experimental results establish an interaction space that can promote skyrmion formation, facilitating identification and design of centrosymmetric skyrmion materials.

AB - The experimental realization of magnetic skyrmion crystals in centrosymmetric materials has been driven by theoretical understanding of how a delicate balance of anisotropy and frustration can stabilize topological spin structures in applied magnetic fields. Recently, the centrosymmetric material Gd2PdSi3 was shown to host a field-induced skyrmion crystal, but the skyrmion stabilization mechanism remains unclear. Here, we employ neutron-scattering measurements on an isotopically enriched polycrystalline Gd2PdSi3 sample to quantify the interactions that drive skyrmion formation. Our analysis reveals spatially extended interactions in triangular planes, and large ferromagnetic interplanar magnetic interactions that are modulated by the Pd/Si superstructure. The skyrmion crystal emerges from a zero-field helical magnetic order with magnetic moments perpendicular to the magnetic propagation vector, indicating that the magnetic dipolar interaction plays a significant role. Our experimental results establish an interaction space that can promote skyrmion formation, facilitating identification and design of centrosymmetric skyrmion materials.

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Magnetic Interactions of the Centrosymmetric Skyrmion Material Gd2PdSi3

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