Scientists have achieved a breakthrough in imaging an elusive particle known as a skyrmion. Using a unique form of neutron tomography, they were able to observe the skyrmion in a single crystal of iron-platinum. This is the first time that a skyrmion has been imaged in such a way, and the results could help to better understand the behavior of these particles.

Skyrmions are tiny particles that are made out of magnetic and electric fields and are theorized to play an important role in the fields of quantum computing and spintronics. Previous attempts to observe them have been unsuccessful due to the incredibly small size of the particles, which is why the new technique of neutron tomography is so exciting. By using a special neutron beam to scan the single crystal of iron-platinum, the researchers were able to observe the skyrmion and confirm its existence.

This breakthrough in imaging skyrmions has implications for a variety of scientific fields, from materials science to quantum computing. By understanding more about the behavior of these particles, scientists can better design materials and technologies that utilize them. This new imaging technique also opens up the possibility of observing skyrmions in other materials and systems,

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source: Phys.org