Researcher at Lund University in Sweden have discovered a new way to create nano-sized magnetic particles using ultrafast laser light pulses. The revelation could pave the way for new and more energy-efficient technical components and become useful in the quantum computers of the future.
Magnetic skyrmions are sometimes described as magnetic vortices. Unlike ferromagnetic states — which occur in conventional magnets such as compasses and refrigerator magnets — the skyrmion state is quite peculiar: the orientation of the magnetization does not point in the same direction everywhere in the material, but is instead best described as a kind of swirling magnetism.
Skyrmions are of great interest to both basic research and industry, as they can be used to manufacture more compact computer memories. However, that is easier said than done. Using skyrmions for technical purposes requires efficient ways of writing, erasing, and manipulating the particles on short time scales, and with high spatial precision. (SciTechDaily)
The paper has been published in npj Computational Materials.