Fig. 3: Light-induced spin toggle switch.
From: Laser-induced topological spin switching in a 2D van der Waals magnet
a Schematic of CrGeTe3 crystal under laser excitations (N = 100 pulses) and an out-of-plane magnetic field (+25 mT). b–c, Spin toggle switching observed between two magnetic configurations dominated by stripe domains (b) and bubbles/skyrmions (c) via WFKM measurements. A magnetic field of + 25 mT and N = 100 laser pulses are applied to induce the transition. d Similar as in a but without any applied field. e–f The magnetic configuration in c is used as a reference state to a new switching process in e with zero field and under N = 100 laser pulses. The final equilibrated state is shown in f with a predominant amount of stripe domains throughout the surface. g Similar as in a but with a magnetic field of opposite polarity (−25 mT). h,i The magnetic state in f is used as the reference state in h to induce a new switching step under −25 mT and N = 100 laser pulses. The reversal of the field from + 25 mT (a–c) to −25 mT (g–i) with an intermediate step at 0 mT can generate a full switching loop with a different polarisation of the magnetic skyrmions and stripe domains. The scale bar is 5 μm and the laser fluence is 16 mJ/cm2. The measurements were performed at 18.5 K.
