Anisotropic Excitons Reveal Local Spin Chain Directions in a van der Waals Antiferromagnet.

A long-standing pursuit in materials science is to identify suitable magnetic semiconductors for integrated information storage, processing, and transfer. Van der Waals magnets have brought forth new material candidates for this purpose. Recently, sharp exciton resonances in antiferromagnet NiPS3 have been reported to correlate with magnetic order, that is, the exciton photoluminescence intensity diminishes above the Néel temperature. Here, it is found that the polarization of maximal exciton emission rotates locally, revealing three possible spin chain directions. This discovery establishes a new understanding of the antiferromagnet order hidden in previous neutron scattering and optical experiments. Furthermore, defect-bound states are suggested as an alternative exciton formation mechanism that has yet to be explored in NiPS3 . The supporting evidence includes chemical analysis, excitation power, and thickness dependent photoluminescence and first-principles calculations. This mechanism for exciton formation is also consistent with the presence of strong phonon side bands. This study shows that anisotropic exciton photoluminescence can be used to read out local spin chain directions in antiferromagnets and realize multi-functional devices via spin-photon transduction.

Magnons and magnetic fluctuations in atomically thin MnBi2Te4.

Electron band topology is combined with intrinsic magnetic orders in MnBi2Te4, leading to novel quantum phases. Here we investigate collective spin excitations (i.e. magnons) and spin fluctuations in atomically thin MnBi2Te4 flakes using Raman spectroscopy. In a two-septuple layer with non-trivial topology, magnon characteristics evolve as an external magnetic field tunes the ground state through three ordered phases: antiferromagnet, canted antiferromagnet, and ferromagnet. The Raman selection rules are determined by both the crystal symmetry and magnetic order while the magnon energy is determined by different interaction terms. Using non-interacting spin-wave theory, we extract the spin-wave gap at zero magnetic field, an anisotropy energy, and interlayer exchange in bilayers. We also find magnetic fluctuations increase with reduced thickness, which may contribute to a less robust magnetic order in single layers.

Enormous Berry-Curvature-Based Anomalous Hall Effect in Topological Insulator (Bi,Sb)2Te3 on Ferrimagnetic Europium Iron Garnet beyond 400 K.

To realize the quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) at elevated temperatures, the approach of magnetic proximity effect (MPE) was adopted to break the time-reversal symmetry in the topological insulator (Bi0.3Sb0.7)2Te3 (BST) based heterostructures with a ferrimagnetic insulator europium iron garnet (EuIG) of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Here we demonstrate large anomalous Hall resistance (RAHE) exceeding 8 Ω (ρAHE of 3.2 µΩ·cm) at 300 K and sustaining to 400 K in 35 BST/EuIG samples, surpassing the past record of 0.28 Ω (ρAHE of 0.14 µΩ·cm) at 300 K. The large RAHE is attributed to an atomically abrupt, Fe-rich interface between BST and EuIG. Importantly, the gate dependence of the AHE loops shows no sign change with varying chemical potential. This observation is supported by our first-principles calculations via applying a gradient Zeeman field plus a contact potential on BST. Our calculations further demonstrate that the AHE in this heterostructure is attributed to the intrinsic Berry curvature. Furthermore, for gate-biased 4 nm BST on EuIG, a pronounced topological Hall effect-like (THE-like) feature coexisting with AHE is observed at the negative top-gate voltage up to 15 K. Interface tuning with theoretical calculations has realized topologically distinct phenomena in tailored magnetic TI-based heterostructures.

Electron-Phonon and Spin-Lattice Coupling in Atomically Thin Layers of MnBi2Te4.

MnBi2Te4 represents a new class of magnetic topological insulators in which novel quantum phases emerge at temperatures higher than those found in magnetically doped thin films. Here, we investigate how couplings between electron, spin, and lattice are manifested in the phonon spectra of few-septuple-layer thick MnBi2Te4. After categorizing phonon modes by their symmetries, we study the systematic changes in frequency, line width, and line shape of a spectrally isolated A1g mode. The electron-phonon coupling increases in thinner flakes as manifested in a broader phonon line width, which is likely due to changes of the electron density of states. In 4- and 5-septuple thick samples, the onset of magnetic order below the Néel temperature is concurrent with a transition to an insulating state. We observe signatures of a reduced electron-phonon scattering across this transition as reflected in the reduced Fano parameter. Finally, spin-lattice coupling is measured and modeled from temperature-dependent phonon frequency.

Spin Wave Injection and Propagation in a Magnetic Nanochannel from a Vortex Core.

Spin waves can be used as information carriers with low energy dissipation. The excitation and propagation of spin waves along reconfigurable magnonic circuits is the subject of much interest in the field of magnonic applications. Here we experimentally demonstrate an effective excitation of spin waves in reconfigurable magnetic textures at frequencies as high as 15 GHz and wavelengths as short as 80 nm from Ni80Fe20 (Py) nanodisk-film hybrid structures. Most importantly, we demonstrate these spin wave modes, which were previously confined within a nanodisk, can now couple to and propagate along a nanochannel formed by magnetic domain walls at zero magnetic bias field. The tunable high-frequency, short-wavelength, and propagating spin waves may play a vital role in energy efficient and programmable magnonic devices at the nanoscale.

Mechanically tunable exchange coupling of Co/CoO bilayers on flexible muscovite substrates.

The employment of flexible muscovite substrates has given us the feasibility of applying strain to heterostructures dynamically by mechanical bending. In this study, this novel approach is utilized to investigate strain effects on the exchange coupling in ferromagnetic Co and anti-ferromagnetic CoO (Co/CoO) bilayers. Two different Co/CoO bilayer heterostructures were grown on muscovite substrates by oxide molecular beam epitaxy, with the CoO layer being purely (111)- and (100)-oriented. The strain-dependent exchange coupling effect can only be observed on Co/CoO(100)/mica but not on Co/CoO(111)/mica. The origin of this phenomenon is attributed to the anisotropic spin re-orientation induced by mechanical bending. The strain-dependent magnetic anisotropy of the bilayers determined by anisotropic magnetoresistance measurements confirms this conjecture. This study elucidates the fundamental understanding of how magnetic exchange coupling can be tuned by externally applied strain via mechanical bending and, hence, provides a novel approach for implementing flexible spintronic devices.

GdFe0.8Ni0.2O3: A Multiferroic Material for Low-Power Spintronic Devices with High Storage Capacity.

Multiferroic materials are strong candidates for reducing the energy consumption of voltage-controlled spintronic devices because of the coexistence of ferroelectric (FE) and magnetic orders in a single phase. In this article, we present a new multiferroic perovskite, GdNixFe1-xO3 (GFNO), produced via sputtering on a SrTiO3 substrate. The proposed GFNO is FE and canted antiferromagnetic (AFM) within a monoclinic framework at room temperature. The FE polarization of the GFNO is up to 37 µC/cm2. When capped with a Co layer, the resulting heterostructure exhibits voltage-controlled magnetism (VCM). The heterostructured device exhibits two distinct features. First, its VCM depends on the magnitude as well as the polarity of the applied bias, thereby doubling the number of available magnetic readout states under a fixed voltage. Furthermore, the magnetic order of the device can be controlled very effectively within ±1 V. These two characteristics satisfy the requirements for low-power and high-storage technology. Theoretical analysis and experimental results indicate the importance of Ni dopant in regulating the polarity-dependent multiferroicity of this gadolinium ferrite system.

Ferromagnetic domain walls as spin wave filters and the interplay between domain walls and spin waves.

Spin waves (SW) are low energy excitations of magnetization in magnetic materials. In the promising field of magnonics, fundamental SW modes, magnons, are accessible in magnetic nanostructure waveguides and carry information. The SW propagates in both metals and insulators via magnetization dynamics. Energy dissipation through damping can be low compared to the Joule heating in conventional circuits. We performed simulations in a quasi-one-dimensional ferromagnetic strip and found that the transmission of the propagating SW across the domain wall (DW) depends strongly on the tilt angle of the magnetization at low frequencies. When the SW amplitude is large, the magnetization tilt angle inside the DW changes due to the effective fields. The SW transmission, the DW motion, and the magnetization tilt angle couple to each other, which results in complex DW motion and SW transmission. Both SW filtering and DW motions are key ingredients in magnonics.

Voltage-induced Interface Reconstruction and Electrical Instability of the Ferromagnet-Semiconductor Device.

Using x-ray magnetic spectroscopy with in-situ electrical characterizations, we investigated the effects of external voltage on the spin-electronic and transport properties at the interface of a Fe/ZnO device. Layer-, element-, and spin-resolved information of the device was obtained by cross-tuning of the x-ray mode and photon energy, when voltage was applied. At the early stage of the operation, the device exhibited a low-resistance state featuring robust Fe-O bonds. However, the Fe-O bonds were broken with increasing voltage. Breaking of the Fe-O bonds caused the formation of oxygen vacancies and resulted in a high-resistance state. Such interface reconstruction was coupled to a charge-transfer effect via Fe-O hybridization, which suppressed/enhanced the magnetization/coercivity of Fe electronically. Nevertheless, the interface became stabilized with the metallic phase if the device was continuously polarized. During this stage, the spin-polarization of Fe was enhanced whereas the coercivity was lowered by voltage, but changes of both characteristics were reversible. This stage is desirable for spintronic device applications, owing to a different voltage-induced electronic transition compared to the first stage. The study enabled a straightforward detection of the spin-electronic state at the ferromagnet-semiconductor interface in relation to the transport and reversal properties during operation process of the device.

Magnetic mesocrystal-assisted magnetoresistance in manganite.

Mesocrystal, a new class of crystals as compared to conventional and well-known single crystals and polycrystalline systems, has captured significant attention in the past decade. Recent studies have been focused on the advance of synthesis mechanisms as well as the potential on device applications. In order to create further opportunities upon functional mesocrystals, we fabricated a self-assembled nanocomposite composed of magnetic CoFe2O4 mesocrystal in Sr-doped manganites. This combination exhibits intriguing structural and magnetic tunabilities. Furthermore, the antiferromagnetic coupling of the mesocrystal and matrix has induced an additional magnetic perturbation to spin-polarized electrons, resulting in a significantly enhanced magnetoresistance in the nanocomposite. Our work demonstrates a new thought toward the enhancement of intrinsic functionalities assisted by mesocrystals and advanced design of novel mesocrystal-embedded nanocomposites.

Self-assembled molecular magnets on patterned silicon substrates: bridging bio-molecules with nanoelectronics.

The paper reports the methods of preparing molecular magnets and patterning of the molecules on a semiconductor surface. A highly magnetically aligned metallothionein containing Mn and Cd (Mn,Cd-MT-2) is first synthesized, and the molecules are then placed into nanopores prepared on silicon (001) surfaces using electron beam lithography and reactive ion-etching techniques. We have observed the self-assemble growth of the MT molecules on the patterned Si surface such that the MT molecules have grown into rod or ring type three-dimensional nanostructures, depending on the patterned nanostructures on the surface. We also provide scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and magnetic force microscope studies of the molecular nanostructures. This engineered molecule shows molecular magnetization and is biocompatible with conventional semiconductors. These features make Mn,Cd-MT-2 a good candidate for biological applications and sensing sources of new nanodevices. Using molecular self-assembly and topographical patterning of the semiconductor substrate, we can close the gap between bio-molecules and nanoelectronics built into the semiconductor chip.

Ionic liquid of choline chloride/malonic acid as a solvent in the synthesis of open-framework iron oxalatophosphates.

Two new iron(III) oxalatophosphates, Cs2Fe(C2O4)(0.5)(HPO4)2 (1) and CsFe(C2O4)(0.5)(H2PO4)(HPO4) (2), have been synthesized by using a low melting point eutectic mixture of choline chloride and malonic acid as a solvent and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility. Crystal data are as follows: compound 1, monoclinic, P2(1)/c (No. 14), a = 8.5085(4) A, b = 12.7251(6) A, c = 9.8961(4) A, beta = 107.117(1) degrees , V = 1024.01(8) A(3), Z = 4, and R(1) = 0.0264; compound 2, monoclinic, P2(1)/n (No. 14), a = 8.0038(3) A, b = 10.2923(3) A, c = 11.4755(4) A, beta = 100.507(1) degrees , V = 929.47(5) A(3), Z = 4, and R(1) = 0.0311. The structure of 1 comprises FeO6 octahedra connected by HPO4(2-) tetrahedra and bisbidentate oxalate anions to form a 3D framework containing intersecting 12-ring channels, with the charge-compensating Cs+ cations being located at the intersections of these channels. The structure of 2 consists of 2D layers of octahedral FeO6, tetrahedral H2PO4- and HPO4(2-) moieties, and bisbidentate oxalate ligands with the Cs+ cations between the layers. They are the first examples for the use of ionic liquid as a solvent in the synthesis of metal oxalatophosphates.

Mn,Cd-metallothionein-2: a room temperature magnetic protein.

Naturally occurring metallothionein (MT) is a metal binding protein, which binds to seven Zn2+ through 20 conserved cysteines and forms two metal binding clusters with a Zinc-Blende structure. We demonstrate that the MT, when substituting the Zn2+ ions by Mn2+ and Cd2+, exhibits magnetic hysteresis loop observable by SQUID from 10 to 330 K. The magnetic moment may have originated from the bridging effect of the sulfur atoms between the metal ions that leads to the alignment of the electron spins of the Mn2+ ions inside the clusters. The protein backbone may restrain the net spin moment of Mn2+ ions from thermal fluctuation. The modified magnetic-metallothionein is a novel approach to creating molecular magnets with operating temperatures up to 330 K.

K(UO)Si2O6: a pentavalent-uranium silicate.

We report the first example of pentavalent-uranium silicate synthesized by a high-temperature, high-pressure hydrothermal method. The 3-D framework consists of four-membered single rings of corner-sharing SiO4 tetrahedra and 1-D UO4/1O2/2 chains. Magnetic susceptibility and XPS were measured to identify the valence state of uranium.

Metamagnetism in cobalt phosphates with pillared layer structures: [Co3(pyz)(HPO4)2F2] and [Co3(4,4'-bpy)(HPO4)2F2].xH2O.

Two new cobalt phosphates, [Co(3)(pyz)(HPO(4))(2)F(2)] (1) and [Co(3)(4,4'-bpy)(HPO(4))(2)F(2)].xH(2)O (x approximately 0.7) (2), have been synthesized by hydrothermal methods in the presence of aromatic amines, and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility. Their structures consist of neutral sheets of fluorinated cobalt phosphate which are pillared through pyrazine and 4,4'-bipyridine molecules to form 3D frameworks. The structures are related to that of the mineral lazulite. Both compounds show long-range antiferromagnetic ordering below 15 K and metamagnetic behaviors. Compound 1 reveals a two-step magnetic phase transition. Crystal data for 1: monoclinic, space group C2/c (No. 15), a = 21.809(4) A, b = 7.370(1) A, c = 7.395(1) A, beta = 103.753(3) degrees, and Z = 4. Crystal data for 2 are the same as those for 1 except a = 29.940(2) A, b = 7.4421(5) A, c = 7.4170(5) A, and beta = 93.444(1) degrees.

Novel transition metal oxalatophosphates with a two-dimensional honeycomb structure: (H3TREN)[M2(HPO4)(C2O4)2.5] x 3H2O (M = Mn(II) and Fe(II), TREN = tris(2-aminoethyl)amine).

Two new layered transition metal oxalatophosphates, (H(3)TREN)[M(2)(HPO(4))(C(2)O(4))(2.5)].3H(2)O (M = Mn(II) and Fe(II)), have been synthesized by hydrothermal methods in the presence of a structure-directing organic amine, tris(2-aminoethyl)amine, and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility. They are the first metal oxalatophosphates which adopt a two-dimensional honeycomb structure with the organic cations and water molecules intercalated in between. Within a layer, there are 12-membered pores made from 6 Mn, 1 phosphate, and 5 oxalate units. Measurements of field dependence of magnetization and variable-temperature susceptibilities under different fields were performed on a polycrystalline sample of the manganese compound. The results indicate a phase transition from a paramagnetic to an antiferromagnetic coupled state at about 12 K. Crystal data for the manganese compound follow: triclinic, space group Ponemacr; (No. 2), a = 8.8385(6) A, b = 9.0586(6) A, c = 16.020(1) A, alpha = 77.616(1) degrees, beta = 83.359(1) degrees, gamma = 68.251(1) degrees, and Z = 2. Crystal data for the iron compound are the same as those for the manganese compound except a = 8.7776(9) A, b = 8.9257(9) A, c = 15.884(2) A, alpha = 78.630(2) degrees, beta = 84.018(2) degrees, and gamma = 67.372(2) degrees.