2017/11/18 by Pin-Jui Hsu, Levente Rozsa, Levente Rózsa +15
Chemistry · Physics and Astronomy · #Ab initio #Chemical physics #Chemistry #Condensed matter physics #Hydrogen #Magnetic properties of thin films #Materials science #Nanotechnology #Physics #Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism #Quantum and electron transport phenomena #Quantum mechanics #Scanning tunneling microscope #Skyrmion #Spin (aerodynamics) #Substrate (aquarium) #Thin film #cond-mat.mtrl-sci
paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/s41467-018-04015-z
arxiv created 2017/11/18 · openalex publication_date 2018/04/16 · arxiv updated 2018/05/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Magnetic skyrmions are localized nanometer-sized spin configurations with particle-like properties, which are envisioned to be used as bits in next-generation information technology. An essential step toward future skyrmion-based applications is to engineer key magnetic parameters for developing and stabilizing individual magnetic skyrmions. Here we demonstrate the tuning of the non-collinear magnetic state of an Fe double layer on an Ir(111) substrate by loading the sample with atomic hydrogen. By using spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy, we discover that the hydrogenated system supports the formation of skyrmions in external magnetic fields, while the pristine Fe double layer does not. Based on ab initio calculations, we attribute this effect to the tuning of the Heisenberg exchange and the Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya interactions due to hydrogenation. In addition to interface engineering, hydrogenation of thin magnetic films offers a unique pathway to design and optimize the skyrmionic states in low-dimensional magnetic materials.