Tailoring the magnetic exchange interaction in MnBi2Te4 superlattices via the intercalation of ferromagnetic layers

DOI: 10.1038/s41928-022-00880-1

Authors: Peng Chen (ShanghaiTech University; Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai; University of Chinese Academy of Science) , Qi Yao (ShanghaiTech University) , Junqi Xu (Nanjing University) , Qiang Sun (The University of Queensland) , Alexander J. Grutter (National Institute of Standards and Technology) , Patrick Quarterman (National Institute of Standards and Technology) , Purnima P. Balakrishnan (National Institute of Standards and Technology) , Christy J. Kinane (ISIS-Neutron and Muon Source) , Andrew J. Caruana (ISIS-Neutron and Muon Source) , Sean Langridge (ISIS-Neutron and Muon Source) , Ang Li (Beijing University of Technology) , Barat Achinuq (University of Oxford) , Emily Heppell (University of Oxford) , Yuchen Ji (ShanghaiTech University) , Shanshan Liu (Fudan University) , Baoshan Cui (Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences) , Jiuming Liu (ShanghaiTech University) , Puyang Huang (ShanghaiTech University) , Zhongkai Liu (ShanghaiTech University) , Guoqiang Yu (Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences) , Faxian Xiu (Fudan University) , Thorsten Hesjedal (University of Oxford) , Jin Zou (The University of Queensland) , Xiaodong Han (Beijing University of Technology) , Haijun Zhang (Nanjing University) , Yumeng Yang (ShanghaiTech University) , Xufeng Kou (ShanghaiTech University)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Nature Electronics , VOL 340

State: Published (Approved)
Published: December 2022
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 30262

Abstract: The intrinsic magnetic topological insulator MnBi2Te4 (MBT) provides a platform for the creation of exotic quantum phenomena. Novel properties can be created by modification of the MnBi2Te4 framework, but the design of stable magnetic structures remains challenging. Here we report ferromagnet-intercalated MnBi2Te4 superlattices with tunable magnetic exchange interactions. Using molecular beam epitaxy, we intercalate ferromagnetic MnTe layers into MnBi2Te4 to create [(MBT)(MnTe)m]N superlattices and examine their magnetic interaction properties using polarized neutron reflectometry and magnetoresistance measurements. Incorporation of the ferromagnetic spacer tunes the antiferromagnetic interlayer coupling of the MnBi2Te4 layers through the exchange-spring effect at MnBi2Te4/MnTe hetero-interfaces. The MnTe thickness can be used to modulate the relative strengths of the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic order, and the superlattice periodicity can tailor the spin configurations of the synthesized multilayers.

Journal Keywords: Ferromagnetism; Magnetic properties and materials; Spintronics; Surfaces, interfaces and thin films; Topological insulators

Diamond Keywords: Ferromagnetism; Spintronics; Data Storage

Subject Areas: Materials, Physics, Information and Communication Technology


Instruments: I10-Beamline for Advanced Dichroism

Other Facilities: POLREF at ISIS

Added On: 14/12/2022 11:25

Discipline Tags:

Surfaces Quantum Materials Physics Electronics Components & Micro-systems Information & Communication Technologies Magnetism Materials Science interfaces and thin films

Technical Tags:

Spectroscopy Circular Dichroism (CD) X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism (XMCD)