Topological defects in multiferroic antiferromagnetic materials

Topological defects, such as domain walls or skyrmions, are formed when the symmetry of a magnetic material is disrupted. The manipulation of such objects holds promises for high-performance memory devices. 

The direct observation in antiferromagnets at room temperature, however, is very challenging due to extremely weak stray magnetic fields of uncompensated spins. Furthermore, the associated complex spin textures are nanoscale objects, thus requiring excellent spatial resolution.  

Using Scanning NV Magnetometry (SNVM), the team led by Dr. Aurore Finco (Laboratoire Chrales Coulomb – Université de Montpellier and CNRS) observed for the first time topological line defects in multiferroic antiferromagnets at room temperature.

Thanks to the high sensitivity and spatial resolution of Qnami Quantilevers, the team quantitatively imaged the cycloidal antiferromagnetic order at the surface of a bulk bismuth ferrite crystal. They showed the coexistence, within single ferroelectric domains, of antiferromagnetic domains with different directions of the cycloid orientation. At the junctions between the magnetic domains, they observed the complex whirling spin textures demonstrating the presence of topological line defects for the first time in antiferromagnets.

Read the full article in Physical Review Letter.

See more applications

Antiferromagnetic bits measured with Scanning NV magnetometry

Denys Makarov's team at HZDR, together with the Qnami Application lab, demonstrated a method for creating binary states in antiferromagnetic materials.

A tool for NV diamond plate characterization with 10nm resolution

Sergei Trofimov and Boris Naydenov from the Helmholtz Center in Berlin used Qnami Quantum Foundry diamond plates to achieve nanoscale quantum sensing with 13 nm resolution by combining confocal and atomic-force microscopy techniques.

Optimizing Off-Axis Fields for Vector Magnetometry

Paul Stevenson’s research at Northeastern University utilized the Qnami ProteusQ microscope to enhance vector magnetometry, allowing precise measurement of both parallel and perpendicular stray fields in complex materials like bismuth ferrite.

Want to know more?

Talk to us - we're happy to answer your questions.
We are using cookies and analytics tools to give you the best digital experience.
AcceptPrivacy Settings

GDPR

  • Cookie Consent

Cookie Consent

We are using cookies and analytics tools to give you the best digital experience.  Find more information and details about how to switch them off in our Terms of Website Use and Privacy Policy.