Ferroelectric control of magnetic skyrmions in two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures

Abstract

Magnetic skyrmions are chiral nanoscale spin textures which are usually induced by Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI). Recently, magnetic skyrmions have been observed in two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) ferromagnetic materials, such as Fe${}_3$GeTe${}_2$. The electric control of skyrmions is important for their potential application in low-power memory technologies. Here, we predict that DMI and magnetic skyrmions in a Fe${}_3$GeTe${}_2$ monolayer can be controlled by ferroelectric polarization of an adjacent 2D vdW ferroelectric In${}_2$Se${}_3$. Based on density functional theory and atomistic spin-dynamics modeling, we find that the interfacial symmetry breaking produces a sizable DMI in a Fe${}_3$GeTe${}_2$/In${}_2$Se${}_3$ vdW heterostructure. We show that the magnitude of DMI can be controlled by ferroe-lectric polarization reversal, leading to creation and annihilation of skyrmions. Furthermore, we find that the sign of DMI in a In${}_2$Se${}_3$/Fe${}_3$GeTe${}_2$/In${}_2$Se${}_3$ heterostructure changes with ferroelectric switching reversing the skyrmion chirality. The predicted electrically controlled skyrmion formation may be interesting for spintronic applications.

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