Real-space imaging and control of topological spin textures in a van der Waals antiferromagnet

Layered magnetic systems with interlayer antiferromagnetic coupling are emerging as a promising platform for energy-efficient spintronic technologies, particularly in the form of van der Waals (vdW) magnets. The direct observation and manipulation of topological spin textures in perpendicularly magnetized 2D antiferromagnets, however, remain highly challenging due to their compensated magnetic states and rigid interlayer exchange, thereby hindering direct insight into spin ordering and functional exploration. Here, using spin-polarized low-energy electron microscopy, we directly visualize antiferromagnetic domains and emergent topological textures in the vdW antiferromagnet (Fe1-xCox)3GaTe2. We uncover tuneable stripe-like domain configurations that can be reconfigured into antiferromagnetic skyrmions under external stimuli, despite the absence of remanent magnetization. These results provide direct insight into spin ordering in a perpendicularly magnetized layered two-dimensional antiferromagnet and open new avenues for next-generation antiferromagnetic spintronic devices. This study reports real-space, layer-resolved magnetic imaging of the van der Waals antiferromagnet (Fe,Co)3GaTe2 using SPLEEM, revealing A-type interlayer coupling, intrinsic chiral spin textures and enabling controlled writing of antiferromagnetic skyrmions.