Static and dynamic topological defects in the domain textures in the helical antiferromagnet Ni2CoTeO6

Real-space Bragg coherent x-ray-diffractive imaging unveils the formation of bubble and stripe antiferromagnetic (AFM) phase domains on the surface of Ni₂CoTeO₆single crystal. The stripe domains exhibit dislocation-type topological defects. The defects typically form as defect-antidefect pairs and can be created or annihilated by temperature changes and local heating. Thermal fluctuations of the AFM domain walls are observed near the Néel temperature. Topological defect pairs dynamically form and disappear in the fluctuating state. These observations provide a real-space perspective on the dynamics of the AFM phase transition in a helical antiferromagnet. The remarkable tunability of AFM domain walls in a helical antiferromagnet underscores their potential for AFM spintronics applications.