Magnetic field assisted stabilization of circular double wall domain lattice in oxidized Fe3GeTe2 flakes

Abstract

Abstract The family of 2D ferromagnets is in the center of research for novel spintronics applications. Among the various 2D ferromagnets, Fe3GeTe2 has drawn significant attention since it combines a high Curie temperature with a van der Waals structure, which allows easy exfoliation, and a high spin polarization/large spin–orbit coupling. The presence of interfacial DMI in 2D ferromagnets have a significant impact on the behavior of magnetic domain walls, which are fundamental in magnetic memory and logic devices. By controlling the interfacial DMI, it is possible to manipulate the motion of domain walls and the magnetic domain configuration, which is essential for the development of efficient and reliable magnetic devices. In this study, we investigate the effect of an, inversion symmetry breaking, oxidized layer on the magnetic domain structure of Fe3GeTe2 flakes due to the emergence of interfacial DMI. By combining magneto-optical Kerr effect microscopy images and micromagnetic simulations, we study the formation of a circular double wall (CDW) domain lattice in oxidized flakes under specific field cooling and magnetic field sweeping protocols. Their formation is attributed to a competition between the exchange interaction both symmetric and antisymmetric (associated to interfacial DMI), magnetocrystalline anisotropy and the external magnetic field. The CDW domains have a diameter of several microns, a magnetic structure resembling that of a skyrmionium and are arranged in regular lattice that survives thermal fluctuations close to T c. Our results suggest that these CDW domains transition to Néel type skyrmions after a magnetic field threshold. These findings could have important implications for the design and optimization of 2D ferromagnetic materials for spintronic applications.