1. Higher-order skyrmion crystal in van der Waals Kitaev triangular antiferromagnet NiI2
- Author
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Kim, Chaebin, Vilella, Olivia, Lee, Youjin, Park, Pyeongjae, An, Yeochan, Cho, Woonghee, Stone, Matthew B., Kolesnikov, Alexander I., Asai, Shinichiro, Itoh, Shinichi, Masuda, Takatsugu, Matin, Sakib, Kim, Sujin, Kim, Sung-Jin, Mourigal, Martin, and Park, Je-Geun
- Subjects
Condensed Matter - Materials Science - Abstract
Topological spin textures, such as magnetic skyrmions, hold great promise for spintronics applications. However, most known skyrmion systems are restricted to a topological charge of one and require an external magnetic field for stabilization. Here, we report the discovery of a skyrmion crystal with a topological number of two in an insulating van der Waals magnet NiI2. We unveil the static and dynamic magnetic correlations across three temperature-driven magnetic phases using neutron scattering measurements, simulations, and model optimisation. By employing a minimal Kitaev-Heisenberg Hamiltonian, we reproduce the experimentally observed excitations and confirm the emergence of the higher-order skyrmion crystal through Monte Carlo simulations. Remarkably, this exotic phase arises without the need for a magnetic field, presenting a novel platform for controlling complex spin textures in an accessible material. These findings establish NiI2 as a pivotal material, bridging fundamental quantum magnetism with advancements in skyrmionics and multiferroic technologies., Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures
- Published
- 2025