Electric field manipulation of magnetic skyrmions

Magnetic skyrmions are vortex-like swirling spin textures that are promising candidates for carrying information bits in future magnetic memories or logic circuits. To build skyrmionic devices, researchers must electrically manipulate magnetic skyrmions to enable easy integration into modern semiconductor technology. This operation generally uses a spin-polarized current, which unavoidably causes high energy dissipation and Joule heating. Thus, the electric-field strategy is a hopeful alternative for electrically manipulating the skyrmions due to the strategy’s negligible Joule heating and low energy cost. In this review, we systematically summarize the theoretical and experimental development of the electrical-field manipulation of magnetic skyrmions over the past decade. We review the following magnetic systems and physical mechanisms: (i) ultra-thin multilayer films with accumulation and release of interfacial charge, (ii) single-phase multiferroic material with magneto-electric coupling, (iii) ferromagnetic/ferroelectric (FM/FE) multiferroic heterostructure with magneto-elastic coupling. Finally, we consider future developmental trends in the electric-field manipulation of magnetic skyrmions and other topological magnetic domain structures. Graphical abstract