In a groundbreaking development, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and their international collaborators have achieved a significant milestone in the field of spintronics by demonstrating the creation and manipulation of nanoscale magnetic quasi-particles known as skyrmions at room temperature. This breakthrough, which has been featured on the covers of both Nature Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, promises to revolutionize the future of computing by enabling faster and more energy-efficient memory devices.
The MIT-led team has successfully generated stable and fast-moving skyrmions in specially formulated layered materials at room temperature, setting world records for size and speed. These layered materials consist of 15 repeating layers of a specially fabricated metal alloy made up of platinum, cobalt-iron-boron, and magnesium-oxygen. The interface between the platinum metal layer and cobalt-iron-boron creates an environment in which skyrmions can be formed, with the material exhibiting skyrmion formation at room temperature under a 20 milliTesla field and above 349 kelvins (168 degrees Fahrenheit) without an external magnetic field.
Theoretical Tools and Skyrmion Manipulation
The researchers have also developed theoretical tools that allow them to predict the internal skyrmion structure and size, as well as generate specific skyrmion sizes by adjusting the multi-layer or material parameters. This level of control is crucial for the development of skyrmion-based memory and logic devices, as it enables precise manipulation of these magnetic quasi-particles.