The efficient generation, manipulation and detection of magnetic skyrmions are important for the development of future spintronic devices. One approach is to use electric-current-induced spin torques. Recently, thermally induced skyrmion motion has also been observed, but wider experimental evidence and its capabilities remain limited. Here we report the thermal generation, manipulation and thermoelectric detection of nanoscale skyrmions in microstructured metallic multilayers integrated with on-chip heaters. The local application of heat can facilitate a domain morphological transition and the formation of skyrmions at the device edge, where a low energy barrier exists. We observe the unidirectional diffusion of skyrmions from hot regions to cold regions, which is due to the interplay among the repulsive forces between skyrmions, thermal spin–orbit torques, entropic forces and magnonic spin torques. The thermally generated skyrmions can also be electrically detected via the Nernst voltage.

磁性天生离子的有效产生，操纵和检测对于未来自旋电子设备的开发很重要。一种方法是使用电流感应的自旋扭矩。最近，还观察到了热诱导的天胶离子运动，但是更广泛的实验证据及其能力仍然有限。在这里，我们报告了集成了片上加热器的微结构金属多层中纳米级天体离子的热产生，操纵和热电检测。热量的局部施加可以促进区域形态转变和在存在低能垒的器件边缘处形成天体离子。我们观察到，从热区到冷区的单峰的单向扩散，这是由于单峰之间的排斥力之间的相互作用，热自旋轨道扭矩，熵力和强力自旋扭矩。也可以通过能斯特电压以电方式检测热产生的天体离子。