Skyrmions and non-collinear magnetic domains in Fe₃GeTe₂

Superconductor-ferromagnet heterostructures have potential for use in topological quantum computing schemes. Of particular interest are heterostructures that utilize Fe3GeTe2, an air sensitive van der Waals (vdW) material known to host nanoscale magnetic whirlpools called skyrmions. The vdW nature of Fe3GeTe2 means we can exfoliate 2D layers that can be easily incorporated into a wide range of devices. Behaving as particles that can be manipulated, skyrmions are potentially useful for topological quantum computing and low-energy spintronic devices. To work towards creating superconductor-ferromagnetic heterostructures we (1) designed and constructed a setup for deterministic placement of air sensitive, 2D materials, (2) developed fabrication procedures to produce Fe3GeTe2 Hall bar devices and (3)characterized the eld and temperature-dependent magnetic properties of Fe3GeTe2 using magnetometry, magnetic force microscopy and electrical transport measurements. We found that the magnetic properties of Fe3GeTe2 are highly dependent on the thermal and magnetic history and the thickness of the sample. In addition, we have observed non-collinear magnetic domains including skyrmions, labyrinths and stripes. We have also observed that adding a layer of WTe2 on top of the Fe3GeTe2 can increase the Dzyaloshinskii{Moriya Interaction energy, which is the cause of non-collinear magnetic domains. Results from the magnetic characterization inform us on the conditions under which skyrmions and a variety of magnetic domains form in the Fe3GeTe2. In the future this will be used for studies on the proximity eects in Fe3GeTe2-superconductor heterostructures.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Grantor dc:publisher

Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Slayback, Paul T.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Eley, Serena

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Toberer, Eric
• Mozur, Eve

• 2D material
• Fe₃GeTe₂
• non-collinear magnetism
• skyrmion
• van der Waal

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright of the original work is retained by the author.

Language dc:language.iso

eng, English

Identifier

T 9551

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.mines.edu:11124/178494