Topological magnetic defects in a strong permanent magnet Nd2Fe14B

Skyrmions, highly mobile and manipulable magnetic objects, have garnered significant interest for their potential applications in modern magnetic device technology. However, their formation has been limited to a small number of materials due to the delicate balance of magnetic energies involved. In this study, we report the irreversible formation of skyrmions in Nd₂Fe₁₄B, a rare-earth permanent magnet characterized by large magnetic anisotropy. Remarkably, these magnetic topological defects exist over a wide range of temperatures and magnetic fields (295–565 K and 0–0.1 T) due to the high Curie temperature and significant magnetic anisotropy of Nd₂Fe₁₄B. Our findings not only unveil a new material where skyrmions can form but also open up possibilities for exploring topological defects in various magnetic systems, including strong hard magnets.