Promising Partnership: Skyrmions and Hopfions

Researchers from Forschungszentrum Jülich and their international partners have, for the first time, discovered ring-shaped 3D magnetic structures, called Hopfions, in a solid. Until now, Hopfions were only theoretically predicted, but the experiments have now provided the first evidence of their existence. The JARA-FIT scientists Prof. Stefan Blügel and Prof. Rafal Dunin-Borkowski played a crucial role in these experiments.

These exotic magnetic Hopfions are considered promising carriers of information for future computer technologies. In contrast to the already-known Skyrmions, Hopfions are compact, three-dimensional structures that form loops or knots along Skyrmion threads. Skyrmion threads act as an anchor, allowing Hopfions to move up and down or collectively in any direction.

The research associated with the 3D-MAGiC project could open new possibilities for the development of data storage and neuromorphic computers. In the experiments, the Hopfion rings were detected in an iron-germanium single crystal with a side length of one micrometer. However, the scientists believe that these structures could occur in various chiral magnets.

Additional information about the results is available on the website of Forschungszentrum Jülich: https://www.fz-juelich.de/de/aktuelles/news/pressemitteilungen/2023/vom-skyrmion-zum-hopfion