Laser-induced topological spin switching in a 2D van der Waals magnet

Maya Khela, Maciej Da̧browski (), Safe Khan, Paul S. Keatley, Ivan Verzhbitskiy, Goki Eda, Robert J. Hicken, Hidekazu Kurebayashi and Elton J. G. Santos ()
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Maya Khela: The University of Edinburgh
Maciej Da̧browski: University of Exeter
Safe Khan: University College London
Paul S. Keatley: University of Exeter
Ivan Verzhbitskiy: National University of Singapore
Goki Eda: National University of Singapore
Robert J. Hicken: University of Exeter
Hidekazu Kurebayashi: University College London
Elton J. G. Santos: The University of Edinburgh

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) magnets represent one of the most promising horizons for energy-efficient spintronic applications because their broad range of electronic, magnetic and topological properties. However, little is known about the interplay between light and spin properties in vdW layers. Here we show that ultrafast laser excitation can not only generate different type of spin textures in CrGeTe3 vdW magnets but also induce a reversible transformation between them in a topological toggle switch mechanism. Our atomistic spin dynamics simulations and wide-field Kerr microscopy measurements show that different textures can be generated via high-intense laser pulses within the picosecond regime. The phase transformation between the different topological spin textures is obtained as additional laser pulses are applied to the system where the polarisation and final state of the spins can be controlled by external magnetic fields. Our results indicate laser-driven spin textures on 2D magnets as a pathway towards reconfigurable topological architectures at the atomistic level.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37082-y

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