Project description
Skyrmions and topological materials could provide next-generation information storage
The EU-funded SKYTOP project will move closer to developing next-generation devices for information storage and processing in the field of AI using a new class of materials that demonstrate unusual properties. In particular, researchers will leverage magnetic skyrmions, which are small swirling topological defects that can be formed in magnetic materials in their bulk state or in magnetic thin films. The new devices will also integrate topological insulators and Weyl semimetals, which display impressive transport properties owing to the unusual twist of their electronic band structure. Project activities have implications for the design of next-generation ultralow-power neuromorphic devices and circuits that will drive forward AI.
Objective
The overall objective in SKYTOP is to make cross-fertilization between different topological classes of materials to realize devices with intertwined electronic spin and topology. In particular, in this project the aim is to combine two “topological classes”, one existing in real space associated with skyrmions and a second one defined in the reciprocal space associated with topological insulators (TI) and Weyl semimetals (WSM). The project consists of the following technical objectives:
1) Develop thin film TI-technology and exploratory research on topological WSM; 2) Develop a functional TI/Weyl-Skyrmion media platform 3) Demonstrate TI/Weyl-Skyrmion based devices. The main idea is to take advantage of the strong charge-to-spin conversion effect anticipated in TI with strong spin orbit coupling (SOC) to nucleate and control the skyrmion dynamics. SKYTOP proposes skyrmion-based bio-inspired devices and reconfigurable filters with enhanced efficiency and new functionality that could lead to a paradigm shift in ultra-dense low power nanoelectronics. SKYTOP will also expected to open a route for exploitation of the emerging Weyl semimetal materials which are currently being investigated at the basic research level.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
15341 Agia Paraskevi
Greece