Simulation of Néel-Type Skyrmion Generation via the Inverse Faraday Effect

Magnetic skyrmions are nanoscale, topologically stabilized spin textures. They occur mainly as Bloch or Néel types, distinguished by spin rotation, and are characterized by a topological charge Q ≈ 1 . Their stability and size make them promising for ultrafast, low-power spintronics. Here we show that Néel-type skyrmions can be generated optically via the inverse Faraday effect (IFE). In this work we replicate a published metasurface design consisting of gold nanodisks on a hexagonal lattice using finite-difference time-domain simulations. We show that circularly polarized light drives IFE-induced surface drift currents on each disk. The resulting localized magnetic fields create Néel-type skyrmions. To match realistic fabrication, the stack includes a glass substrate, a titanium adhesion layer beneath the Au disks, and a 15 nm indium tin oxide (ITO) capping layer. Our independent simulations reproduce prior reports of IFE-driven skyrmion generation on similar metasurfaces and further confirm robust skyrmion formation for the ITO/Ti/Au geometry studied here. Topological analysis yields a skyrmion number Q ≈ 0.98, indicating high-fidelity Néel-type textures. These results validate an experimentally accessible route to optically write skyrmions using patterned plasmonic disks and provide concrete design guidance for metasurface-assisted, ultrafast magnetic control.