Theoretical Physics Seminar

Skyrmions, first introduced in nuclear physics through the Skyrme model, have become central to condensed matter research due to their stability as topological solitons and their potential applications in racetrack memory, spin logic, and neuromorphic computing. With continued device miniaturization, skyrmions approaching the nanometer scale are expected to exhibit quantum effects that are absent in the classical regime. In this work, we present a theoretical study of a nanoribbon of skyrmions and demonstrate the emergence of a quantum skyrmion liquid (QSL) phase. This phase originates from the effective kinetic energy of skyrmions, induced by positional uncertainty. This phase is also characterized by rapidly decaying spin–spin correlations, indicative of liquid-like behaviour. Moreover, we show that the QSL can be clearly distinguished from the skyrmion crystal phase through the spatial distribution of entanglement. Our results highlight the importance of quantum effects in nanoscale skyrmions.

Reference: Phys. Rev. B 111, 134410 (2025)