Unveiling Three-Dimensional Skyrmion Transitions Through Vortices and Monopoles

Melissa E. Henderson; Daichi Kurebayashi; Benjamin Heacock; Wangchun Chen; Charles W. Clark; David G. Cory; Dusan Sarenac; Shannon Watson; Jonathan S. White; Lisa DeBeer-Schmitt; Oleg A. Tretiakov; Dmitry A. Pushin

arXiv · 2609.36261

Unveiling Three-Dimensional Skyrmion Transitions Through Vortices and Monopoles

Melissa E. Henderson·Daichi Kurebayashi·Benjamin Heacock·Wangchun Chen·Charles W. Clark·David G. Cory·Dusan Sarenac·Shannon Watson·Jonathan S. White·Lisa DeBeer-Schmitt·Oleg A. Tretiakov·Dmitry A. Pushin

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Abstract

Magnetic skyrmions represent vortex-like spin configurations that provide a robust platform for next-generation spintronic technologies. Although they are often treated as two-dimensional objects with integer topological charge, their extension into three-dimensional strings realizes other composite structures with unique device functionalities that transcend planar frameworks. Unfortunately, a lack of bulk probes has failed to realize such higher-dimensional topological structures and their implementations. Here, we report the first experimental visualization of three-dimensional topological $Q = 0$ skyrmion structures using neutron scattering tomography techniques across the equilibrium phase of a Co$_8$Zn$_8$Mn$_4$ sample. Disordered skyrmion states reveal metastable skyrmioniums and composite topological objects novel to bulk systems. Vortex-antivortex lattices mediate changes in topology, with unprecedented transition pathways via a coupling of merons and monopoles. The present realization of bulk Q = 0 quasiparticles and meron-mediated dynamics paves the way for higher-dimensional spintronic frameworks through multi-bit encoding architectures, unidirectional transport schemes, and monopole-mediated controls.

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Melissa E. Henderson, Daichi Kurebayashi, Benjamin Heacock, Wangchun Chen, Charles W. Clark, David G. Cory, Dusan Sarenac, Shannon Watson, Jonathan S. White, Lisa DeBeer-Schmitt, Oleg A. Tretiakov, Dmitry A. Pushin. 2026-09-28. Unveiling Three-Dimensional Skyrmion Transitions Through Vortices and Monopoles. https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.36261

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