Analytical and numerical K-u - B phase diagrams for cobalt nanostructures: Stability region for a Bloch skyrmion

Abstract

In this paper we calculate the energies corresponding to the different magnetic phases present in a ferromagnetic cylinder by means of analytical calculations. From the comparison of these energies, it is possible to construct magnetic phase diagrams as a function of the uniaxial anisotropy of the sample and the applied external magnetic field. As proof of concept, we analyzed the magnetic phase diagrams for a cobalt dot of 240 nm in diameter and 70 nm in length, with an easy axis parallel to the dot axis, and with a magnetic field applied towards or perpendicular to this axis. From these diagrams we have obtained the stability regions for a Bloch skyrmion (Sk), a vortex core (VC) and a ferromagnetic (F) configuration, which can point in any psi direction. Our results provide a pathway to engineer the formation and controllability of a skyrmion in a ferromagnetic dot to different anisotropy constants and magnetic fields. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.