Formation and rotation of skyrmion crystal in the chiral-lattice insulator Cu2OSeO3

Abstract

Small-angle neutron scattering experiments were performed on a bulk single crystal of chiral-lattice multiferroic insulator Cu${}_2$OSeO${}_3$. In the absence of an external magnetic field, helical spin order with magnetic modulation vector $q\parallel \langle 001\rangle$ was identified. When a magnetic field is applied, a triple-$q$ magnetic structure emerges normal to the field in the A phase just below the magnetic ordering temperature $T_c$, which suggests the formation of a triangular lattice of skyrmions. Notably, the favorable $q$ direction in the A phase changes from $q\parallel \langle 110\rangle$ to $q\parallel \langle 001\rangle$ upon approaching $T_c$. Near the phase boundary between these two states, the external magnetic field induces a 30${}^{\circ }$ rotation of the skyrmion lattice. This suggests a delicate balance between the magnetic anisotropy and the spin texture near $T_c$, such that even a small perturbation significantly affects the ordering pattern of the skyrmions.