Title: Topological Spin Textures via Twist Engineering
Abstract: In this talk, we will explore the potential of twisted van der Waals magnets to host topological spin textures, including magnetic skyrmions and vortex-type textures called merons. The first part will focus on the twist engineering of magnetic skyrmions in twisted easy-axis magnets, building upon previous extensive investigations in this area. In the second part, we will extend the twist engineering approach to easy-plane magnetic systems, with a specific emphasis on achieving vortex-type topological spin textures, namely merons. Utilizing an atomistic spin model for twisted bilayer magnets with easy-plane anisotropy and stacking-dependent interlayer magnetism, we will demonstrate the stabilization of merons in a vortex-antivortex pair configuration. Typically, such configurations suffer from instability caused by core attraction and subsequent pair annihilation. However, we will showcase how switching the interlayer exchange coupling from ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic through the moiré pattern can effectively protect the pairs from annihilation by localizing the vortex cores.