Topology and Origin of Effective Spin Meron Pairs in Ferromagnetic Multilayer Elements

Sebastian Wintz, Christopher Bunce, Andreas Neudert, Michael Körner, Thomas Strache, Matthias Buhl, Artur Erbe, Sibylle Gemming, Jörg Raabe, Christoph Quitmann, and Jürgen Fassbender
Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 177201 – Published 22 April 2013
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Abstract

We report on pairs of converging-diverging spin vortices in Co/Rh/NiFe trilayer disks. The lateral magnetization distribution of these effective spin merons is directly imaged by means of element-selective x-ray microscopy. By this method, both the divergence and circulation states of the individual layers are identified to be antisymmetric. Reversal measurements on corresponding continuous films reveal that biquadratic interlayer exchange coupling is the cause for the effective meron pair formation. Moreover, their three-dimensional magnetization structure is determined by micromagnetic simulations. Interestingly, the magnetic induction aligns along a flux-closing torus. This toroidal topology enforces a symmetry break, which links the core polarities to the divergence configuration.

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  • Received 8 October 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.177201

© 2013 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Sebastian Wintz1,2,*, Christopher Bunce1,†, Andreas Neudert1, Michael Körner1, Thomas Strache1,‡, Matthias Buhl1, Artur Erbe1, Sibylle Gemming1,3, Jörg Raabe4, Christoph Quitmann4,§, and Jürgen Fassbender1,2

  • 1Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01328 Dresden, Germany
  • 2Institut für Festkörperphysik, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
  • 3Technische Universität Chemnitz, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany
  • 4Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland

  • *s.wintz@hzdr.de
  • Present address: Fraunhofer-Institut für Photonische Mikrosysteme, 01109 Dresden, Germany.
  • Present address: Vacuumschmelze GmbH & Co. KG, 63450 Hanau, Germany.
  • §Present address: MAX IV Laboratory, 22363 Lund, Sweden.

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Issue

Vol. 110, Iss. 17 — 26 April 2013

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