Speaker
Description
Skyrmion lattices (SkLs) are intriguing vortex-like spin textures with non-trivial topology [1,2]. While they are typically stabilized by antisymmetric interactions in bulk noncentrosymmetric materials, centrosymmetric SkL hosts, such as Gd$_2$PdSi$_3$ [2–4], have recently been discovered. There, both the SkL stabilization mechanism under applied fields and the zero-field ground states (GSs) remain controversial.
To address these questions, we have investigated the spin dynamics in Gd$_2$PdSi$_3$ using µSR [5]. We find highly anisotropic spin fluctuations in its SkL phase [Fig. 1(a)], suggesting a prominent role of anisotropy in SkL stabilization. Intriguingly, we also observe anisotropic dynamics in the GS [Fig. 1(b)], implying that it is a complex meron spin texture, confirming Ref. [4] and refuting other predictions.
Our µSR study Ref. [5] highlights the importance of spin anisotropy even in centrosymmetric SkL hosts and strongly constrains possible SkL stabilization mechanisms.
Fig. 1. Muon relaxation in Gd$_2$PdSi$_3$ in (a) the SkL, fanlike (IC-2), and paramagnetic (PM) phases in 0.75 T; and (b) in the meron GS.
[1] T. Lancaster, Contemp. Phys. 60, 246 (2019).
[2] J. Khatua et al., Phys. Rep. 1041, 1 (2023).
[3] S. Li et al., Interdiscip. Mater. 2, 260 (2023).
[4] T. Kurumaji et al., Science 365, 914 (2019).
[5] M. Gomilšek et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 134, 046702 (2025).
| matjaz.gomilsek@ijs.si | |
| Funding Agency | Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS, Slovenia), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC, UK) |
| Did you request an Invitation Letter for a Visitors Visa Application | No |
