Orientation dependent current-induced motion of skyrmions with various topologies

Abstract

We study the current-driven motion of metastable localized spin structures with various topological charges in a (Pt$_{1-x}$Ir$_{x}$)/Fe bilayer on a Pd(111) surface by combining atomistic spin model simulations with an approach based on the generalized Thiele equation. We demonstrate that besides a distinct dependence on the topological charge itself the dynamic response of skyrmionic structures with topological charges $\mathrm{Q} = -1$ and $\mathrm{Q}= 3$ to a spin-polarized current exhibits an orientation dependence. We further show that such an orientation dependence can be induced by applying an in-plane external field, possibly opening up a new pathway to the manipulation of skyrmion dynamics.