Discover the 6 most common types of magnetic skyrmions and their properties. Bloch, Néel, antiskyrmions, hopfions, giant, and vortex skyrmions explained.

6 Most Common Types of Magnetic Skyrmions

Magnetic skyrmions are topologically protected magnetic structures that have garnered significant interest in recent years. These structures are characterized by a winding magnetic texture, which gives them unique properties such as stability and mobility. Skyrmions have been observed in various magnetic materials, including metals, insulators, and multilayers. In this article, we will explore the six most common types of magnetic skyrmions.

Bloch Skyrmions

Bloch skyrmions are the most common type of skyrmion and are named after the physicist Felix Bloch. They are characterized by a skyrmion texture where the magnetization vector twists around a central core. The core can be in a helical or conical state, depending on the material’s anisotropy. Bloch skyrmions have been observed in various materials, including magnetic multilayers, bulk magnets, and topological insulators.

Néel Skyrmions

Néel skyrmions are named after the French physicist Louis Néel, who first proposed the concept of a magnetic domain wall. Néel skyrmions are characterized by an out-of-plane magnetization component, which creates a skyrmion texture that is similar to a Bloch skyrmion. However, the direction of the magnetization rotation is opposite, leading to a different type of skyrmion. Néel skyrmions have been observed in thin magnetic films, multilayers, and bulk magnets.

Antiskyrmions

Antiskyrmions are topologically protected structures that are the opposite of skyrmions. They are characterized by a winding magnetic texture that is inverted compared to a