Fig. 4: Switchable CuInP2S6 polar skyrmions via the applications of electrical fields and mechanical forces.

a, b, Topographic and PFM mappings demonstrating electrically switchable elongated and circular polar skyrmions under different DC biases. c Evolution of the dipolar configuration realized by continuous PFM scanning with an estimated force of −30 nN over 6 times. d Schematics of the transition between different skyrmionic states. The helicity number is switched between 0 and π.