In a magnetic skyrmion phase, magnetic moments form vortex-like topological textures which are of both fundamental and industrial interests. In β-Mn-type Co-Zn-Mn alloys, chrial magnetic skyrmions emerge above room temperature, providing a unique system for studying the skrymion physics and exploring spintronics applications. However, the magnetic skyrmion phase is typically confined in a narrow and limited temperature (T) and magnetic field (H) range. Here, we demonstrate that hydrostatic pressure can expand the skyrmion phase in the T−H phase diagram of single-crystalline Co8Zn8Mn4. At ambient pressure, signatures of skyrmions are seen within T∼302−308 K and H∼50−100 Oe. Applying a moderate pressure of 6 kbar extends this range to T∼300−310 K and H∼50−150 Oe. However, further escalation of pressure to 10 kbar results in a slight contraction of the skyrmion phase. These findings underscore the sensitivity of the skyrmion phase in Co8Zn8Mn4 to external pressures, and hint at the potential of strain engineering, particularly in β-Mn-type Co-Zn-Mn thin films, as a promising avenue to customize the skyrmion phase.
@article{arxiv.2402.14477,
title = {Pressure tunable magnetic skyrmion phase in Co8Zn8Mn4 single crystals},
author = {Zhun Li and Xinrun Mi and Xinming Wang and Jian Lyu and Na Su and Aifeng Wang and Yisheng Chai and Bao Yuan and Wanju Luo and Hui Cheng and Jianxiang Gao and Hongliang Wang and Lijie Hao and Mingquan He and Junying Shen and Young Sun and Xin Tong},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2402.14477},
year = {2024}
}