Journal Article

IMPULSE-2026-00128

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Grazing-incidence resonant elastic x-ray scattering of skyrmion lattices in bulk MnSi

Chen, J. ; Bauer, A.MLZ* ; Pfleiderer, C.MLZ* ; van der Laan, G. ; Hesjedal, T. ; Zhang, S.

2026
American Physical Society College Park, Md. [u.a.]

Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1103/1788-7m8w

Abstract: Magnetic skyrmions are spin textures with nontrivial topology that form two-dimensional hexagonal lattices (SkX) in chiral magnets. Element-specific reciprocal-space characterization of skyrmion lattices with soft x-rays commonly relies on transmission geometries, which require thinning of bulk crystals and can modify their magnetic properties. Here, we show that resonant elastic x-ray scattering in a grazing-incidence geometry (GIREXS) provides a nondestructive and geometrically flexible probe of skyrmion lattices in bulk materials. Using MnSi as a model system, GIREXS resolves the helical, conical, and skyrmion-lattice states through their characteristic magnetic satellite peaks and yields the skyrmion wave vector. By operating just above the critical angle (𝛼c≈1.6°in MnSi at the Mn 𝐿3edge), the method achieves a probing depth of approximately 3⁢  nm, tunable up to approximately 20  nmvia the incidence angle, while maintaining full reciprocal-space access to the in-plane magnetic correlations. The grazing-incidence approach circumvents the structural Bragg-peak constraints that limit conventional reflection resonant elastic x-ray scattering (REXS) at fixed soft-x-ray energies. Our measurements establish GIREXS as a practical method for studying magnetic superstructures in bulk crystals, providing direct reciprocal-space access to magnetic satellite reflections and a basis for future depth-controlled, element-selective investigations of complex spin textures.

Keyword(s): Magnetic Materials (1st) ; Magnetism (2nd)

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. E21 (E21)
2. Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ)

Experiment(s):

1. No specific instrument

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Database coverage:
; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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