Magnetic skyrmions are nanoscale spin vortices, which order into a lattice resembling to the vortex lattice of superconductors. In chiral magnets this structure is stabilized by the competition of the Heisenberg and the spin-orbit induced Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. Since the recent observation of magnetic skyrmions their study have become a hot-topic of modern solid state physics. From the fundamental science point of view these spin textures with non-trivial topology provides an interesting system to study the formation of topological phases, whereas, their stability, small size and current driven motion motivated an intense research to apply them in magnetic memory devices.  

This MSc project aims to study the formation of spiral and skyrmion lattice (SkL) phases in polar magnets where our group identified these states by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and magnetic force microscopy (MFM). Furthermore, we plan to study the effect of electric fields on these magnetic states. The applicant will have the possibility to use various neutron scattering techniques (SANS, neutron spin-echo (NSE) spectroscopy) to address these problems. (S)he will be able to participate in experiments at large scale neutron facilities depending on the travel restrictions either in person or remotely.