Energy-efficient antiferromagnetic skyrmion creation and its dynamics in structure-dependent magneto-elastic coupling

Abstract

Existing skyrmion nucleation methods lead to increased Joule heating, limiting the applicability to metallic Antiferromagnetic (AFM) systems. In this study, we propose a novel, energy-efficient mechanical method for nucleating AFM skyrmions using Surface Acoustic Waves (SAWs). SAWs, which propagate along material surfaces with minimal attenuation, generate dynamic strain that induces a spatially varying torque on magnetic spins, offering a viable alternative to traditional current-based methods. Using the Thiele approach we investigate skyrmion dynamics in special AFMs, NiO-like or CoO-like, incorporating a magnetoelastic term that accounts for the unique spin arrangements, where spins align oppositely within parallel planes. Our findings reveal that the deformation induced by SAWs, influenced by the magnetostriction of materials like NiO and CoO, can modify the spin configuration, consequently, alters the skyrmion dynamics. This study not only demonstrates the potential of SAWs for efficient skyrmion nucleation in AFMs but also introduces new theoretical insights into specific magnetoelastic-induced skyrmion dynamics in AFM systems.