Stabilization of the skyrmion crystal phase and transport in thin-film antiferromagnets

Abstract

We investigate the stability and dynamics of the skyrmion lattice in antiferromagnetic thin films subjected to fieldlike torques such as, e.g., those induced by an electric current in CuMnAs and Mn2Au via the inverse spin-galvanic effect. The skyrmion crystal phase represents the ground state of the antiferromagnet in a substantial area of the phase diagram, the latter being parametrized by the effective staggered field and uniaxial anisotropy constant. Experimental signatures of the skyrmion crystal phase and readout schemes based on topological transport (e.g., the spin Hall effect) are discussed. We also estimate qualitatively the effect of thermal and current fluctuations, including shot noise, on the stability of the skyrmion lattice.