Atomic-scale skyrmions driven by lateral spin-polarized currents

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Within this project we aim at the experimental investigation of atomic-scale skyrmions interacting with lateral spin-polarized surface currents using multi-probe spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy (SP-STM). We will focus on skyrmions that are stabilized by Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions at the interface between ultrathin magnetic films consisting of only a few atomic layers prepared by epitaxial growth on heavy-element single crystal surfaces. Two of the scanning probe tips will be used as contacts for the controlled generation of a local spin-polarized current within a magnetic stripe. Skyrmion lattices and individual skyrmions affected by the lateral spin-polarized current will be investigated in real-space by means of SP-STM, using a tunneling magnetic probe tip that is positioned between the contact tips. The experiments will be performed under ultrahigh vacuum conditions, at variable temperature between 1 K and 100 K (and ultimately up to room temperature), and in variable external magnetic fields of up to 3 T. Samples will be prepared in vacuo, thereby realizing high purity magnetic ultrathin films as well as well-defined homogeneous interfaces between the magnetic film and the substrate.