Thickness-Dependent Skyrmion Evolution in Fe3GeTe2 During Magnetization Reversal

My Contribution

I performed comprehensive micromagnetic simulations (MUMAX3) to reproduce and interpret experimental LTEM observations of magnetization reversal in exfoliated Fe₃GeTe₂ (FGT). I constructed a dual-thickness simulation geometry (45 nm / 75 nm) with periodic boundary conditions, successfully replicating key features including Néel-type skyrmion nucleation, thickness-dependent domain evolution, and domain pinning at step edges.

My energy density analysis quantified the demagnetization energy gradient as the dominant pinning mechanism at thickness step edges, revealing that step edges create a localized potential barrier that impedes domain wall motion. I also confirmed that all simulated skyrmions exhibited Néel-type structures (Q ≈ −1) and demonstrated that the system transitions from skyrmions to faceted “patch” domain networks separated by topologically protected 360° domain walls before reaching saturation. Presented at Intermag 2026 and IEEE ATC_ATG 2025 conferences.