Extended Data Fig. 2: Switching maps for skyrmion B marked in Fig. 6a.
From: Experimental identification of two distinct skyrmion collapse mechanisms
Images in each column are recorded at the same B∥ and B⊥ indicated on top. a-c, STM topography, V = 610 mV, I = 2 nA. Circles mark the skyrmion area with black dot as center. Defects (bright dots) at the skyrmion rim are visible. The skyrmion slightly shifts between images in contrast to skyrmion A (Supplementary Section S1). d-f, Simultaneously recorded dI/dV maps. g-i, Maps of skyrmion collapse rates as deduced from time traces recorded at each pixel (Extended Data Fig. 1), Δt = 150 s, V = 610 mV, I = 200 nA. The direction of B∥ is marked. As in Fig. 3f–h, the hot spot at the rim switches position along B∥ by sign change of B⊥ or B∥ and is always located close to the darkest spot within the corresponding dI/dV images. j-l, Maps of creation rates obtained from the same time traces, being rather homogeneous in the skyrmion area. m-o, Maps of skyrmion probability PSK obtained from the same time traces. The probability close to one shows that the skyrmion state is more stable than the ferromagnetic state. Circles are at identical positions in each column.
