Statics and Dynamics of Skyrmions in Balanced and Unbalanced Synthetic Antiferromagnets

Abstract: Synthetic antiferromagnets have great potential as skyrmion carriers in which new properties are expected for these spin textures, owing to changed magnetostatics and the absence of net topological charge. Here we numerically simulate the static and dynamic behaviour of skyrmions in these systems and clearly highlight the benefits compared to ferromagnetic single layers. In particular, our results show a reduction of the skyrmion radius, an increase of their velocity under current, and a vanishing of their topological deflection. We also provide a robust and straightforward analytical model that captures the physics of such skyrmions. Finally, by extending the model to the case of an unbalanced SAF, we show some conditions for the system that optimise the properties of the skyrmion for potential spintronic devices.