Behavior of Magnetic Skyrmions Lattices at the Nanoscale Observed using In Situ Lorentz Transmission Electron Microscopy

Understanding the behavior of nanoscale magnetic structures relies on being able to understand the complex interplay of the energy terms that control this behavior at a local scale. The relative contribution of these energy terms can be modified by parameters such as geometric confinement and interactions between adjacent magnetic nanostructures. In addition, it is important to be able to explore how a magnetic nanostructure responds to an external driving force, such as temperature, and electric or magnetic fields. We use Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (LTEM) combined with in-situ magnetizing and cooling experiments to elucidate the micromagnetic behavior at the sub-micron scale in nanomagnetic structures. By comparing the experimental and simulated results we gain a detailed understanding of the way in which the various energy terms contribute to the behavior that we observe.<br/><br/>THe focus of this presentation will be on thin films of van der Waals materials that host magnetic skyrmions and other topological spin structures in which we make use of cryoEM to explore the way in which order in the skyrmions lattices evolves, the origin of this behavior, and the energy terms that control the behavior as a function of temperature and applied field.