Mode locking between helimagnetism and ferromagnetism

Nature Physics Springer Nature 22:2 (2026) 259-264

Authors:

Jingyi Chen, Haonan Jin, Ethan L Arnold, Gerrit van der Laan, Thorsten Hesjedal, Shilei Zhang

Abstract:

Non-collinear spin textures, such as spin spirals and skyrmions, exhibit rich emergent physics in their spin dynamics. Nevertheless, the potential to utilize their distinctive spin resonance characteristics for on-chip microwave magnonic applications is rarely explored. Here we demonstrate microwave emission and mode coupling from the resonating spin spiral lattice in a Cu2OSeO3/Pt/NiFe heterostructure. We use time-resolved resonant elastic X-ray scattering to visualize the exact vectorial spin precession modes from the two magnetic species in real time. Our results show that the ferromagnetic NiFe layer dynamically captures the excitation modes of the conical order in helimagnet Cu2OSeO3. The off-resonance NiFe spin precession is phase locked to the helimagnet with a fixed offset, thereby presenting distinct chiral dynamics. This demonstrates that the magnons produced in the process鈥攔eferred to as helimagnons鈥攃an wirelessly transmit spin information at gigahertz frequencies, opening new avenues for on-chip microwave magnonics.

The 2026 Skyrmionics Roadmap

(2026)

Authors:

Sabri Koraltan, Claas Abert, Manfred Albrecht, Maria Azhar, Christian Back, Helene Bea, Max T Birch, Stefan Bluegel, Olivier Boulle, Felix Buettner, Ping Che, Vincent Cros, Emily Darwin, Louise Desplat, Claire Donnelly, Haifeng Du, Karin Everschor-Sitte, Amalio Fernandez-Pacheco, Simone Finizio, Giovanni Finocchio, Markus Garst, Raphael Gruber, Dirk Grundler, Satoru Hayami, Thorsten Hesjedal, Axel Hoffmann, Alec Hrabec, Hans Josef Hug, Hariom Jani, Jagannath Jena, Wanjun Jiang, Javier Junquera, Kosuke Karube, Lisa-Marie Kern, Joo-Von Kim, Mathias Klaeui, Hidekazu Kurebayashi, Kai Litzius, Yizhou Liu, Martin Lonsky, Christopher H Marrows, Jan Masell, Stefan Mathias, Yuriy Mokrousov, Stuart SP Parkin, Bastian Pfau, Paolo G Radaelli, Florin Radu, Ramamoorthy Ramesh, Nicolas Reyren

Mapping the temperature dependent surface states of Bi2Te3 topological insulator flakes by ultra-cryogenic terahertz near-field nanoscopy

2025 50th International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz) IEEE (2026)

Authors:

Xinyun Liu, Piet Schoenherr, Keir Murphy, Thorsten Hesjedal, Jessica Boland

Abstract:

Topological insulators (TIs) have drawn considerable attention for next generation high sensitivity, high efficiency devices thanks to their unique metallic surface conductivity via their topologically-protected surface states (TSSs). In this study, we utilized near-field nanoimaging and nanoscale spectroscopy in the Terahertz (THz) frequency range to explore the optical response of the surface layer from Bi2Te3 TI flakes. In all cases, we observe a higher near-field optical response from the TI flakes compared to a Si substrate. This contrast increases for more surface sensitive probing, which indicates the presence of a conductive surface state. In addition, we have performed temperature dependent THz nanoscopy and demonstrate a significantly enhanced near-field contrast for the TI flake at a sample temperature of 8.9 K compared to the Si substrate. This temperature-dependent behavior provides vital insight into the underlying mechanisms behind the observed conductive surface state in TI materials.

Materials for quantum technologies: a roadmap for spin and topology

Applied Physics Reviews American Institute of Physics 12:4 (2025) 41328

Authors:

Niladri Banerjee, Christopher Bell, Chiara Ciccarelli, Thorsten Hesjedal, Freya Johnson, Hidekazu Kurebayashi, Thomas A Moore, Christoforos Moutafis, Hl Stern, Ivan J Vera-Marun, J Wade, Craig Barton, Mr Connolly, Neil J Curson, K Fallon, Aj Fisher, Dorian A Gangloff, William Griggs, Edmund Linfield, Christopher H Marrows, Alessandro Rossi, Frank Schindler, Jason Smith, Thomas Thomson, Olga Kazakova

Abstract:

In this perspective article, we explore some of the promising spin and topology material platforms (e.g., spins in semiconductors and superconductors, skyrmionic, topological, and two-dimensional materials) being developed for such quantum components as qubits, superconducting memories, sensing, and metrological standards, and discuss their figures of merit. Spin- and topology-related quantum phenomena have several advantages, including high coherence time, topological protection and stability, low error rate, relative ease of engineering and control, and simple initiation and readout. However, the relevant technologies are at different stages of research and development, and here, we discuss their state-of-the-art, potential applications, challenges, and solutions.

Microscopic observation of nonergodic states in two-dimensional nontopological bubble lattices

Physical Review B American Physical Society (APS) 112:21 (2025) 214424

Authors:

S Pylypenko, M Winter, Uk R枚脽ler, D Pohl, R Kyrychenko, Mc Rahn, B Achinuq, Jr Bollard, P Vir, G van der Laan, T Hesjedal, J Schultz, B Rellinghaus, C Felser, A Lubk

Abstract:

Disordered two-dimensional (2D) lattices, including hexatic and various glassy states, are observed in a wide range of 2D systems including colloidal nanoparticle assemblies and fluxon lattices. Their disordered nature determines the stability and mobility of these systems, as well as their response to the external stimuli. Here we report on the controlled creation and characterization of a disordered 2D lattice of nontopological magnetic bubbles in the noncentrosymmetric ferrimagnetic alloy Mn1.4PtSn. By analyzing the type and frequency of fundamental lattice defects, such as dislocations, the orientational correlation, as well as the induced motion of the lattice in an external field, a nonergodic glassy state, stabilized by directional application of an external field, is revealed.