Magnetic Skyrmions: Recent advances and applications

Magnetic skyrmions are particle-like, nanometer-sized topological spin textures observed in several magnetic materials. They have emerged as an alternative to conventional spintronic memories and domain walls (DWs) and offer high storage density, more robust stability, low critical currents, and increased scalability. Recent advances have set the stage for their use in quantum computing, logic circuits, and neuromorphic computing. With the aid of electrical methods, it is possible to precisely create, manipulate, and destroy skyrmions in device-compatible materials. However, the maximum speed achievable by magnetic skyrmions and the reliable detection of data have been restricted by the skyrmion Hall effect (SkHE). Other issues include a low read margin and a lack of proper skyrmion motion control in nanowires. Most of these can be addressed by exploiting novel materials, such as antiferromagnets; employing specialized fabrication techniques; tuning driving current profiles; and circuit-level engineering. In this article, theoretical and experimental breakthroughs and challenges relevant to magnetic skyrmions and their applications in data storage, logic computing, and neuromorphic computing are highlighted.