Hysteretic Responses of Skyrmion Lattices to Electric Fields in Magnetoelectric Cu₂OSeO₃

Electric field control of topologically nontrivial magnetictextures,such as skyrmions, provides a paradigm shift for future spintronicsbeyond the current silicon-based technology. While significant progresshas been made by X-ray and neutron scattering studies, direct observationof such nanoscale spin structures and their dynamics driven by externalelectric fields remains a challenge in understanding the underlyingmechanisms and harness functionalities. Here, using Lorentz transmissionelectron microscopy combined with in situ electricand magnetic fields at liquid helium temperatures, we report the crystallographicorientation-dependent skyrmion responses to electric fields in thinslabs of magnetoelectric Cu2OSeO3. We show thatelectric fields not only stabilize the hexagonally packed skyrmionlattices in the entire sample in a hysteretic manner but also inducethe rotation of their reciprocal vector discretely by 30 & DEG;. Thenonvolatile and energy-efficient skyrmion lattice control by electricfields demonstrated in this work provides an important foundationfor designing skyrmion-based qubits and memory devices.