Field induced spin chirality and chirality switching in magnetic multilayers

The physical origin of the field-induced spin chirality experimentally observed in rare earth multilayers is determined. It is shown that the effect is possible due to the interplay between solid-state exchange interactions (the Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida and the Dsyaloshinsky–Moriya interactions), the external magnetic field and a special confinement of magnetic constituents. The presented model describes a certain temperature dependence of the chirality factor in agreement with experimental data and opens a new way to design nanostructured objects with predicted handedness. - Highlights: • Field-induced spin chirality in magnetic multilayers is explained. • The roles of the RKKY, the DM and the Zeeman interactions are clarified. • Theoretical analysis of the chirality factor is in agreement with experimental data