Room-Temperature Creation and Spin–Orbit Torque Manipulation of Skyrmions in Thin Films with Engineered Asymmetry

TLDR

Magnetic skyrmions are topologically protected spin textures that promise ultralow‑energy, high‑density storage, yet most studies are limited to low temperatures, scarce materials, and lack electrical control. The study introduces a room‑temperature method to generate stable skyrmion bubbles in CoFeB–MgO by engineering interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. This approach relies on engineered interfacial anisotropy and symmetry breaking to create a force that, together with spin‑orbit torque, drives skyrmion motion. Room‑temperature skyrmion creation and manipulation in CoFeB–MgO shows a viable path toward industrially manufacturable skyrmionic memory and logic devices.

Abstract

Magnetic skyrmions, which are topologically protected spin textures, are promising candidates for ultralow-energy and ultrahigh-density magnetic data storage and computing applications. To date, most experiments on skyrmions have been carried out at low temperatures. The choice of available materials is limited, and there is a lack of electrical means to control skyrmions in devices. In this work, we demonstrate a new method for creating a stable skyrmion bubble phase in the CoFeB–MgO material system at room temperature, by engineering the interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of the ferromagnetic layer. Importantly, we also demonstrate that artificially engineered symmetry breaking gives rise to a force acting on the skyrmions, in addition to the current-induced spin–orbit torque, which can be used to drive their motion. This room-temperature creation and manipulation of skyrmions offers new possibilities to engineer skyrmionic devices. The results bring skyrmionic memory and logic concepts closer to realization in industrially relevant and manufacturable thin film material systems.