| Project Detail |
A novel platform for skyrmion motion based on 3D nanodevices
Skyrmions are stable and mobile magnetic structures with a topological twist, which makes them attractive for low-energy and high-density data storage and processing, a key challenge in modern technology. However, their motion under current and temperature stimuli is complex and hard to manipulate, and their electrical detection is challenging. The 3D-Sky project, funded by the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions programme, will use 3D nanofabrication to create a new platform that allows for controlled thermal effects and investigates the energy landscape governing skyrmion dynamics.
The overall power consumption of information technology accounts for almost 10% of the global energy demands and it is predicted to reach 20% in 2030. As a result, we need new ways to store and compute data utilizing more efficient and environmentally cleaner alternatives to current technologies, and the EU should be leading this transformation. The development of a low-power non-volatile memory is one of the most sought-after technologies and racetrack memories based on topological magnetic Skyrmions are one of the most promising candidates. There are, however, several drawbacks for spintronic devices based on Skyrmions: their trajectories under currents are nontrivial; the thermal contribution to Skyrmion motion is yet to be well understood, and fully electrical detection of Skyrmions is challenging due to the small contribution of the topology to the Hall effect.
In 3D-Sky, I propose to take advantage of state-of-the-art 3D nanopatterning to obtain fine control over the energy landscape for the motion of Skyrmions in 3D racetracks. For this, I will exploit the precise and unique tuning of thermal and geometrical properties that 3D devices enable to decouple the nanostructure from the substrate opening the possibility to use much higher temperature gradients to tackle the main drawbacks of Skyrmion racetrack memories. In short, in 3D-Sky I aim to create a platform for Skyrmion motion based on 3D nanodevices focusing on the impact of temperature on their dynamics, nucleation and properties. This will provide the fundamental knowledge needed to understand thermal-driven Skyrmion motion in different systems including the different driving forces in play. Furthermore, I will tackle the current challenges in reliable nucleation and electrical detection of Skyrmions taking advantage of the singular properties of 3D nanostructures for the creation of defects and efficient heating. |
