Magnetism in the axion insulator candidate Eu5In2Sb6

DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.109.174404

Authors: M. C. Rahn (Technical University of Dresden; Los Alamos National Laboratory) , M. N. Wilson (Durham University; Memorial University) , T. J. Hicken (Durham University; Paul Scherrer Institute) , F. L. Pratt (ISIS Facility) , C. Wang (Paul Scherrer Institute) , F. Orlandi (ISIS Facility) , D. D. Khalyavin (ISIS Facility) , P. Manuel (ISIS Facility) , L. S. I. Veiga (University College London; Diamond Light Source) , A. Bombardi (Diamond Light Source) , S. Francoual (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY)) , P. Bereciartua (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY)) , A. S. Sukhanov (Technical University of Dresden) , J. D. Thompson (Los Alamos National Laboratory) , S. M. Thomas (Los Alamos National Laboratory) , P. F. S. Rosa (Los Alamos National Laboratory) , T. Lancaster (Durham University) , F. Ronning (Los Alamos National Laboratory) , M. Janoschek (Los Alamos National Laboratory; Paul Scherrer Institute; Universität Zürich)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Physical Review B , VOL 109

State: Published (Approved)
Published: May 2024

Abstract: Eu 5 In 2 Sb 6 is a member of a family of orthorhombic nonsymmorphic rare-earth intermetallics that combines large localized magnetic moments and itinerant exchange with a low carrier density and perpendicular glide planes. This may result in special topological crystalline (wallpaper fermion) or axion insulating phases. Recent studies of Eu 5 In 2 Sb 6 single crystals have revealed colossal negative magnetoresistance and multiple magnetic phase transitions. Here, we clarify this ordering process using neutron scattering, resonant elastic x-ray scattering, muon spin-rotation, and magnetometry. The nonsymmorphic and multisite character of Eu 5 In 2 Sb 6 results in coplanar noncollinear magnetic structures with an Ising-like net magnetization along the a axis. A reordering transition, attributable to competing ferro- and antiferromagnetic couplings, manifests as the onset of a second commensurate Fourier component. In the absence of spatially resolved probes, the experimental evidence for this low-temperature state can be interpreted either as an unusual double- q structure or in a phase separation scenario. The net magnetization produces variable anisotropic hysteretic effects which also couple to charge transport. The implied potential for functional domain physics and topological transport suggests that this structural family may be a promising platform to implement concepts of topological antiferromagnetic spintronics.

Journal Keywords: Magnetic order; Magnetic phase transitions; Topological materials; Muon spin resonance; Neutron diffraction; Resonant elastic x-ray scattering

Diamond Keywords: Antiferromagnetic; Spintronics

Subject Areas: Materials, Physics, Information and Communication Technology


Instruments: I16-Materials and Magnetism

Other Facilities: SμS at Paul Scherrer Institut; P09 at PETRA III at DESY; WISH at ISIS

Added On: 05/05/2024 10:36

Documents:
PhysRevB.109.174404.pdf

Discipline Tags:

Quantum Materials Physics Hard condensed matter - structures Electronics Components & Micro-systems Information & Communication Technologies Magnetism Materials Science

Technical Tags:

Scattering Resonant Elastic X-ray Scattering (REXS)