ATOMISTIC THEORY OF SKYRMIONS IN ALTERMAGNETS

Work package:
Topological spin textures such as magnetic skyrmions play a central role in modern magnetism, attracting great interest for both fundamental studies and spintronic applications. So far, the main focus of the community has been on topological magnetic structures in ferromagnets (FM) or antiferromagnets (AFM). In this internship, we aim to extend this paradigm to skyrmions in newly discovered altermagnets (AM). Given that AM has been recognized as a major breakthrough in physics in 2024, investigating topological spin textures in AM is not only timely but also novel [1]. During this internship, the student will use atomistic spin models to investigate magnetic skyrmions in AM. The project will focus on understanding how altermagnetic skyrmions are created, stabilized, and annihilated. Special attention will be given to their stability and lifetime, and to the fundamental differences between skyrmions in AM and those found in conventional FM and AFM materials. Through numerical simulations, the student will gain insight into the microscopic mechanisms governing topological spin textures and their potential applications in future spintronic devices. Dr. Li’s group has extensive expertise in atomistic spin models, first-principles methods, and transition state theory for topological spin textures [2]. The student will be closely supervised throughout the internship and will benefit from the support of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in the group, with regular discussions to develop the necessary theoretical and computational skills for the project.