Figure 5. Simulated zero-field skyrmion width.

(a) The simulated skyrmion width is shown at different values of D while varying A. Increasing A leads to a larger value of D necessary to stabilize the skyrmion. Further, larger values of D lead to a larger skyrmion size, until an upper limit is reached and the skyrmion deforms into a chiral stripe domain. Comparing to the experimental skyrmion width, we estimate a value of |D|=2.0±0.3 mJ m⁻². (b–d) Representative simulations of domain structures with A fixed at 10.0 pJ m⁻¹ and D (b) below, (c) within and (d) above the critical range necessary to stabilize a skyrmion. Below the critical range, the exchange energy dominates and the skyrmion annihilates, while above this range, the skyrmion deforms into a labyrinthine stripe phase.