Magnetoelectric imprint of skyrmions in van der Waals bilayers

Abstract

To effectively track and manipulate topological solitons (e.g. skyrmions) are the key challenge before their applications. Inspired by the idea of sliding ferroelectricity, here a general strategy is proposed to print magnetic skyrmions to electric skyrmions in van der Waals bilayers. Through the proximate interactions, there is an isoperiodic bijection relationship between local dipoles and spin moments. This magnetoelectric imprint effect not only extends the strategies to create electric skyrmions, but also leads to an approach for all-electrical readout/manipulation of magnetic skyrmions.