Third dimension of data storage: Physicists demonstrate first hybrid skyrmion tubes for higher-density quantum computing

October 6, 2025 The GIST Third dimension of data storage: Physicists demonstrate first hybrid skyrmion tubes for higher-density quantum computing by Jonas Siehoff, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan Gaby Clark scientific editor Meet our editorial team Behind our editorial process Robert Egan associate editor Meet our editorial team Behind our editorial process Editors' notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread Current-induced motion of SyAFM skyrmion tubes. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63759-7 Typically, the charge of electrons is used to store and process information in electronics-based devices. In spintronics, the focus is instead on the magnetic moment or on magnetic vortices, so-called skyrmions—the goal is smaller, faster, and more sustainable computers. To further increase storage density, skyrmions will not only be two-dimensional in the future, but will also conquer the third dimension. Researchers from the Institute of Physics at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) have now succeeded in creating three-dimensional skyrmions, so-called hybrid skyrmion tubes, in synthetic antiferromagnets and have demonstrated for the first time that these skyrmion tubes move differently than two-dimensional skyrmions. "Three-dimensional skyrmions are of interest for quantum computing and brain-inspired computing, among other things—here the higher storage density resulting from the third dimension is essential," says Mona Bhukta from Professor Mathias Kläui's research group. The results were published on September 26 in Nature Communications. Although skyrmions are magnetic vortices, they behave like particles. This means, among other things, that they can be moved by an electric current. Skyrmions are usually created in thin magnetic layers and thus in two dimensions; the first three-dimensional skyrmion tubes have already been detected. However, these 3D skyrmions were evenly twisted, which is referred to as homogeneous chirality. This means they move in the same way as skyrmions in two dimensions and offer no added value for data storage, as their information can be represented just as well on a single plane. Experimental setup, magnetization measurements, and element-specific detection of SyAFM skyrmion tubes. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63759-7 "We have now been able to create skyrmion tubes in synthetic antiferromagnets—that is, thin film using standard deposition methods whose magnetization cancels outwards—and demonstrate for the first time that these skyrmion tubes move completely differently than skyrmions in two dimensions," says Bhukta. The reason for this lies in the structure of the new skyrmion tubes: Unlike previously created ones, they are not uniformly twisted, but are uneven. To put it simply—they move differently than in 2D systems. These differences in movement can be used for information storage, thus opening up a third dimension for data storage. The new skyrmion tubes were manufactured at JGU, and their three-dimensional structure was verified at the Jülich Research Center. Synchrotron sources at the BESSY II (Helmholtz Center Berlin for Materials and Energy) and at the Swiss Light Source of the Paul Scherrer Institute in Villigen, Switzerland, were used to study the movement of the skyrmion tubes. The results are important, among other things, for so-called brain-inspired computing: data is to be processed not via digital electronics, but via neurons, i.e., nerve cells, and synapses—with the goal of creating more powerful, energy-efficient, and flexible systems for complex tasks. "Three-dimensional skyrmions allow us to better mimic neurons," says Bhukta. "The step into the third dimension is also essential in quantum computing." More information: Takaaki Dohi et al, Observation of a non-reciprocal skyrmion Hall effect of hybrid chiral skyrmion tubes in synthetic antiferromagnetic multilayers, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63759-7 Journal information: Nature Communications Provided by Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Citation: Third dimension of data storage: Physicists demonstrate first hybrid skyrmion tubes for higher-density quantum computing (2025, October 6) retrieved 24 October 2025 from https://phys.org/news/2025-10-dimension-storage-physicists-hybrid-skyrmion.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. 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