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Switching between skyrmions and Yoshimori spin spirals via Li absorption in Janus magnets

Xinyuan Jiang1, Bowen Hao2, Jian Wu1,3, and Weiyi Pan1,4,*

  • *Contact author: weiyi.pan@physik.uni-regensburg.de
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Phys. Rev. B 113, 134404 – Published 1 April, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/n4pl-4ht8

Abstract

Chiral magnetic textures, owing to their topological properties and potential for spintronic applications, have attracted considerable attention. Controlling the interplay among different interactions to realize the switching between distinct magnetic textures has therefore become a central research focus. Here, we employ first-principles calculations together with atomic spin dynamics simulations to explore the switching between skyrmions and Yoshimori-type spin spirals induced by Li adsorption in Janus two-dimensional (2D) CrTeSe. We show that selective Li adsorption on either the Se- or Te-terminated surface stabilizes distinct magnetic phases: Li adsorption on the Se side favors a Yoshimori-type spin spiral, whereas adsorption on the Te side stabilizes the skyrmionic state. This contrast originates from site-dependent modifications of exchange interactions, magnetic anisotropy, and the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. In addition, the response of magnetic textures to out-of-plane magnetic fields differs strongly between the two systems. These results demonstrate that surface adsorption provides an effective strategy for reversible control of chiral magnetic states in 2D magnets, while also offering fundamental insights into the competing interactions that govern the stability of skyrmions and Yoshimori spin spirals. Our findings not only deepen the understanding among the formation and manipulation of distinct chiral magnetic textures, but highlight the potential of Janus 2D materials as a versatile platform for engineering spintronic phenomena.

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Phys. Rev. B 113, 134404– Published 1 April, 2026
  • Received 27 November 2025
  • Revised 27 January 2026
  • Accepted 26 February 2026
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