Abstract
A phenomenological theory of chiral symmetry breaking in magnetic nanostructures is developed considering induced, inhomogeneous chiral interactions (Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya–type). Application of the theory to films and multilayers with in-plane and out-of-plane magnetization predicts modulated and two-dimensional localized patterns (vortices). These new classes of magnetic patterns are intrinsically stable and localized on nanometer scale. Various experimental observations agree qualitatively with structures derived from this theory.
- Received 29 November 2000
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.037203
©2001 American Physical Society
