Tiny magnetic vortices could help computers work more like your brain
Scientists have filmed tiny magnetic vortices called skyrmions melting out of an organized lattice for the first time, revealing new ways to manipulate these unusual structures. The breakthrough could help make brain-like computers a reality, potentially enabling dramatically smaller and more energy-efficient technology.
Key points
- A study in Nature Nanotechnology offers new insight into how skyrmions behave and can be controlled.
- Researchers filmed a magnetic skyrmion lattice melting in real time while manipulating individual skyrmions.
- The work could support smaller, more energy-efficient data storage and brain-like computing, though much development remains.
A study published in Nature Nanotechnology sheds light on how tiny magnetic structures called skyrmions behave and how scientists can control them. The research could aid the development of smaller, more efficient computing systems and emerging quantum technologies.
Most of the work was carried out at the Institute of Physics at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, with contributions from a professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
Why skyrmions matter
Asle Sudbø, who leads NTNU's Centre for Quantum Spintronics (QuSpin), described skyrmions as "small, magnetic vortices that can store information in a completely new way." He said they could allow much smaller and more energy-efficient data storage systems than current technology, which needs more space and energy as data volumes grow.
The article states that skyrmions are also relevant to spintronics, which studies the use of electrons' magnetic properties in electronic devices, and to research on topological quantum effects. Sudbø said the structures could help develop computers that resemble biological brains, using magnetism rather than conventional transistors to process information.
For the first time, researchers have managed to film how a magnetic skyrmion lattice melts in real time
— Asle Sudbø
Filming a lattice melt
Skyrmions can arrange themselves into repeating patterns called lattices. In the new study, researchers recorded a magnetic skyrmion lattice melting in real time while directly manipulating individual skyrmions as they filmed, changing their shape and size "on the fly", according to Sudbø.
Sudbø said the findings give new insight into how these particles behave and could become important for more energy-efficient computer technology in the future. He concluded that the work "could revolutionize the way we think about computers", while the article notes that substantial development is still needed before everyday use.
