The nature and mechanisms of dynamic deformation of two-sublattice magnetic skyrmions driven by spin-orbit torque are studied as a function of sublattice compensation using a combination of atomistic modeling and phenomenological analysis. We systematically analyze the relationship between physical distortions of the skyrmion profiles, based on the action of local Thiele forces, and internal elastic tension forces. We identify the relation between exchange-driven spin dynamics and the dynamic distortions from oppositely oriented gyrotropic forces and observe that sublattice shearing gives rise to a finite dynamical magnetization from local noncollinearity. This magnetization leads to the emergence of a local distorting force in the traveling skyrmion frame. This work provides a unifying understanding of the dynamic deformations and destabilization mechanisms that have been observed in antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic skyrmions and had been attributed to qualitatively different mechanisms. The results will help guide material optimization for maximizing skyrmion speed and stability through informed materials selection.

Close

PrevNext

View figure in article

• Magnetization dynamics
• Spin dynamics
• Spin-orbit coupling
• Antiferromagnets
• Ferrimagnets
• Ferromagnets
• Landau-Lifschitz-Gilbert equation
• Thiele equation