From vortex to bubble: Unraveling formation of merons and skyrmions in van der Waals ferromagnet $\textrm{Fe}_{5-\textrm{x}}\textrm{GeTe}_2$

Li, Yue; Zaluzec, Nestor J.; Casas, Brian W.; Moon, Alex; Petford-Long, Amanda K.; Balicas, Luis; Phatak, Charudatta M.

doi:10.1557/s43579-025-00800-2

From vortex to bubble: Unraveling formation of merons and skyrmions in van der Waals ferromagnet $$\textrm{Fe}_{5-\textrm{x}}\textrm{GeTe}_2$$

Journal Article · Wed Oct 08 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · MRS Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1557/s43579-025-00800-2· OSTI ID:3021959

^[1]; Zaluzec, Nestor J. ^[2]; Casas, Brian W. ^[3]; Moon, Alex ^[4]; Petford-Long, Amanda K. ^[5]; Balicas, Luis ^[4]; Phatak, Charudatta M. ^[5]

Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
University of Chicago, IL (United States)
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, FL (United States)
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, FL (United States); Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL (United States)
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States); Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (United States)

Magnetic topology, such as merons and skyrmions, is important from the perspective of both fundamental physics and next-generation spintronic devices. We observe/demonstrate the coexistence of merons and skyrmions in the van der Waals ferromagnet Fe_5-xGeTe₂. Merons remain stable across a wide temperature range, from 100 K to 290 K, whereas skyrmions are only present within a narrower range from 100 K to approximately 170 K. Our finding reveals that the formation of merons or skyrmions is governed by the local magnetocrystalline anisotropy. Furthermore, the spatial variations in local magnetic anisotropy are attributed to subtle fluctuations in Fe content.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Science Foundation (NSF); Office Naval Research (ONR); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357; SC0002613

Other Award/Contract Number:: 11997003
DMR-1644779
DMR-2128556

OSTI ID:: 3021959

Journal Information:: MRS Communications, Journal Name: MRS Communications Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 15; ISSN 2159-6867

Publisher:: Springer Science and Business Media LLCCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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From vortex to bubble: Unraveling formation of merons and skyrmions in van der Waals ferromagnet $$\textrm{Fe}_{5-\textrm{x}}\textrm{GeTe}_2$$

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