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At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Spin-Valley Locking in 2 H -TaS 2 and Its Co-Intercalated Counterpart: Roles of Surface Domains and Co Intercalation

Tuning and probing spin-valley coupling is key to understanding correlated ground states in 2H-TaS 2 . Its magnetically intercalated analogue, Co 1/3 TaS 2 , introduces additional degrees of freedom, including modified interlayer coupling and magnetism, to modulate spin-valley physics. Surface-sensitive probes like ARPES are essential for accessing surface spin texture, yet previous studies on 2H-TMDs have reported conflicting results regarding spin-polarized bands, leaving open whether these discrepancies are intrinsic or extrinsic. Here, in this study, we performed spatially resolved spin-ARPES measurements on 2H-TaS 2 and Co 1/3 TaS 2 . Our results reveal robust spin-valley locking on both compounds. Importantly, Co intercalation enhances interlayer hybridization and introduces magnetism while preserving the TaS 2 -derived spin texture. We further observe a spatial reversal of the out-of-plane spin polarization, which we attribute to different surface domains. This effect complicates quantifying spin textures and may underlie prior inconsistent observations. Our findings provide microscopic insight into how interlayer interactions and surface domains together govern spin-valley phenomena in layered TMDs.

Spin-resolved angle-resolved photoemission spectro↗
DOE OSTI2020

Robust cycloid crossover driven by anisotropy in the skyrmion host GaV 4 S 8

We report on the anomalous magnetization dynamics of the cycloidally modulated spin textures under the influence of uniaxial anisotropy in multiferroic GaV 4 S 8 . The temperature and field dependence of the linear ac susceptibility [$χ'_{1ω}$ (T, H)], AC magnetic loss [$χ''_{1ω}$ (T, H)], and nonlinear AC magnetic response [$M_{3ω}$ (T, H)] are examined across the magnetic phase diagram in the frequency range f = 10 - 10 000 Hz. According to recent theory, skyrmion vortices under axial crystal symmetry are confined along specific orientations, resulting in enhanced robustness against oblique magnetic fields and altered spin dynamics. We characterize the magnetic response of each spin texture and find that the dynamic rigidity of the Néel skyrmion lattice appears enhanced compared to Bloch-type skyrmions in cubic systems, even in the multidomain state. Anomalous M 3 ω and strong dissipation emerge over the same phase regime where strong variations in the cycloid pitch were observed on lowering temperature in recent small-angle neutron-scattering experiments [White et al., Phys. Rev. B 97, 020401(R) (2018)]. Here, we show that strong anisotropy also drives an extended crossover of the zero-field cycloid texture in GaV 4 S 8 . The frequency dependence of these dynamic signatures is consistent with that of a robust anharmonic spin texture exhibiting a correlated domain arrangement. The results underpin the essential role of magnetic anisotropy in enhancing the rigidity of topological spin textures for diverse applications.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

Robust Spin-Moiré-Superlattice-Driven Gap Opening in EuAg 4 Sb 2 under in-Plane Magnetic Field

Moiré superlattices introduce new length and energy scales, enabling discoveries, such as unconventional superconductivity, in 2D systems. This concept has recently been extended to bulk materials with multiple-q spin textures, opening exciting opportunities for spin moiré physics. A notable example is EuAg 4 S b2 , where a spin moiré superlattice (SMS), manifested as a double-q spin modulation, induces a superzone gap opening. In this work, we investigate the tunability of this gap by an in-plane magnetic field in EuAg 4 Sb 2 by using neutron scattering, magnetization, and transport measurements. We reveal a cycloidal ground state and multiple spin-reoriented phases induced by the in-plane field, highlighting the critical role of in-plane components in driving magnetic transitions. Moreover, we demonstrate that a robust gap opening persists in the double-q phase, regardless of in-plane field orientation. Model calculations attribute this robustness to the stability of the SMS under tilted fields. Here, our results establish EuAg 4 Sb 2 as a tunable platform for exploring the spin-texture-driven superzone gap opening in electronic states.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Tunable artificial topological Hall effects in van der Waals heterointerfaces

The topological Hall effect (THE) originating from a real-space Berry phase is a significant transport signal for chiral spin textures and has been extensively investigated recently due to its potential applications in topological spintronics. Recently, chiral spin textures and THE were realized in heterointerfaces where spatial inversion symmetry is naturally broken. However, multichannel transport in heterointerfaces can mask the intrinsic THE associated with chiral spin textures. We systematically investigate multichannel transport in two different kinds of van der Waals (vdW) heterointerfaces. In ferromagnetic-ferromagnetic (FM-FM) heterointerfaces with two opposite anomalous Hall effects, multichannel transport has mimicked both positive and negative THE without involving any topological charges, which is dubbed as an artificial THE. Moreover, artificial THEs were also observed in FM-metal heterointerfaces consisting of a single FM layer stacked onto a nodal-line semimetal; this was attributed to the presence of multichannel transport as well. Our findings provide an alternative explanation for THE-like features in heterointerfaces. They also reveal exotic multichannel transport properties in vdW heterointerfaces which could facilitate the development of multifunctional nanodevices based on vdW heterointerfaces.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Manipulation of the magnetic monopole injection for topological transition

Abstract Manipulating the topological properties of spin textures in magnetic materials is of great interest due to the rich physics and promising technological applications of these materials in advanced electronic devices. A spin texture with desired topological properties can be created by magnetic monopole injection, resulting in topological transitions involving changes in the topological charge. Therefore, controlling magnetic monopole injection has paramount importance for obtaining the desired spin textures but has not yet been reported. Here, we report the use of reliably manipulated magnetic monopole injection in the topological transition from stripe domains to skyrmions in an Fe/Gd multilayer. An easily tunable in-plane magnetic field applied to an Fe/Gd multilayer plays a key role in the magnetic monopole injection by modulating the local exchange energy. Our findings facilitate the efficient management of topological transitions by providing an important method for controlling magnetic monopole injection.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Interfacial tuning of chiral magnetic interactions for large topological Hall effects in LaMnO 3 /SrIrO 3 heterostructures

Chiral interactions in magnetic systems can give rise to rich physics manifested, for example, as nontrivial spin textures. The foremost interaction responsible for chiral magnetism is the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI), resulting from inversion symmetry breaking in the presence of strong spin-orbit coupling. However, the atomistic origin of DMIs and their relationship to emergent electrodynamic phenomena, such as topological Hall effect (THE), remain unclear. Here, we investigate the role of interfacial DMIs in 3 d –5 d transition metal-oxide-based LaMnO 3 /SrIrO 3 superlattices on THE from a chiral spin texture. By additively engineering the interfacial inversion symmetry with atomic-scale precision, we directly link the competition between interfacial collinear ferromagnetic interactions and DMIs to an enhanced THE. The ability to control the DMI and resulting THE points to a pathway for harnessing interfacial structures to maximize the density of chiral spin textures useful for developing high-density information storage and quantum magnets for quantum information science.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Stabilization of magnetic bubbles in [Ni/Co]n multilayers on an oxygen-reconstructed Nb(110) surface via an ultra-thin Cu interlayer

Magnetic thin films hosting topological spin textures, such as magnetic skyrmions, hold high potential for breakthroughs in the field of spintronics, due to good scalability and energy efficiency. Novel computational architectures such as memory-in-logic devices rely on material platforms able to host those topological spin textures. Furthermore, recently proposed designs of novel quantum information technologies are based on heterostructures where topological spin textures are in direct proximity to a superconducting layer. Here, we demonstrate the stabilization of out-of-plane magnetic bubbles in highly ordered [Ni/Co]n multilayers on a Nb(110) single crystal. This is achieved without the need for the removal of the well-known Nb(110)-oxide surface reconstruction, due to the introduction of an ultra-thin Cu interlayer in between the Nb substrate and the magnetic multilayer. The Cu interlayer generates a well-ordered hexagonal surface, which is key for the epitaxial growth of the [Ni/Co]n multilayers hosting the desired out-of-plane anisotropy. The magnetic ground state of the prepared material stacks is directly imaged via spin-polarized low-energy electron microscopy, revealing the presence of magnetic bubble domains with lateral sizes as small as 450 nm.

Dibajeh, Ahmad↗
DOE OSTI2022

Spontaneous Asymmetry of Chiral Magnetic Domains Within a Magnetic Field

Abstract Chiral magnetic domains are topological spin textures in which the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction assigns a given chirality to the domain walls. Notably, despite rapid progress in chiral magnetic research, one fundamental issue that remains unclear is how the chirality of chiral magnetic domains change as a magnetic field deforms the spin texture. Using spin‐polarized low energy electron microscopy, the evolution of Fe/Ni chiral magnetic stripe domains are investigated in single‐crystalline Fe/Ni/Cu/Co/Cu(001) multilayers in which the interlayer magnetic coupling between the Co and Fe/Ni films serves as an in‐plane magnetic field. Contrary to theoretical works, it is found that the chirality of the Néel walls results in a parallel alignment of the magnetic stripes with the in‐plane magnetic field direction. The transformation of chiral Néel walls into achiral Bloch walls can be precisely controlled by tuning the Cu spacer layer thickness. In addition, the domain wall exhibits a spontaneous asymmetry within the in‐plane magnetic field, leading to an unbalanced chirality between the left‐handed and right‐handed Bloch walls. These new results foster a better understanding of the chiral domain properties within a magnetic field.

Li, Qian↗
DOE OSTI2023

Strain engineering a persistent spin helix with infinite spin lifetime

Persistent spin textures (PSTs) in solid-state materials arise from a unidirectional spin-orbit field in momentum space and offer a route to deliver long carrier spin lifetimes sought for future quantum microelectronic devices. Nonetheless, few three-dimensional materials are known to host PSTs owing to crystal symmetry and chemical requirements. There are even fewer examples demonstrated experimentally. Here we report that high-quality persistent spin textures can be obtained in the polar point groups containing an odd number of mirror operations. We use representation theory analysis and electronic structure calculations to formulate general discovery principles to identify PSTs hidden in known complex ternary layered and perovskite structures with large electric polarizations. We then show some of these materials exhibit PSTs without requiring any special crystalline symmetries. This finding removes the limitation imposed by mirror-symmetry protected PSTs that has limited compound discovery. Our general design approach enables the pursuit of persistent spin helices in materials exhibiting the C 3 v crystal class adopted by many quantum materials exhibiting large Rashba coefficients.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Concurrence of quantum anomalous Hall and topological Hall effects in magnetic topological insulator sandwich heterostructures

The quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect is a consequence of non-zero Berry curvature in momentum space. The QAH insulator harbours dissipation-free chiral edge states in the absence of an external magnetic field. Yet, the topological Hall (TH) effect, a hallmark of chiral spin textures, is a consequence of real-space Berry curvature. Herein, by inserting a topological insulator (TI) layer between two magnetic TI layers, we realized the concurrence of the TH effect and the QAH effect through electric-field gating. The TH effect is probed by bulk carriers, whereas the QAH effect is characterized by chiral edge states. The appearance of the TH effect in the QAH insulating regime is a consequence of chiral magnetic domain walls that result from the gate-induced Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction and occurs during the magnetization reversal process in the magnetic TI sandwich samples. The coexistence of chiral edge states and chiral spin textures provides a platform for proof-of-concept dis- sipationless spin-textured spintronic applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

3⁢𝑄 magnetic order with spatially alternating spin scalar chirality in overdoped C⁢o 0.336⁢ Ta⁢S 2

C⁢o 𝑥 ⁢Ta⁢S 2 (𝑥≈1/3) exhibits a spontaneous Hall effect from spin texture in antiferromagnets, with a tetrahedral triple-Q (3Q) order and uniform spin scalar chirality. Upon Co overdoping (𝑥>1/3), it undergoes a shift in magnetic ordering vectors from 𝐐 m =(1/2, 0, 0) to (1/3, 0, 0). Interestingly, the spontaneous Hall effect disappeared in the overdoped regime, which was originally attributed to the loss of 3Q order. However, a question remains whether a new type of 3Q order can exist with alternating chirality in the overdoped regime. To address this, we investigated C⁢o 0.336⁢ Ta⁢S 2 using inelastic neutron scattering (INS), neutron diffraction, and optical dichroism, and found that INS data and spin-wave simulations support a 3Q order with alternating chirality. Moreover, neutron diffraction data show field-independent Bragg peaks, while linear dichroism detects no in-plane anisotropy, consistent with threefold rotation symmetry. Our data support the scenario of an alternating-chirality 3Q order in C⁢o 0.336 ⁢Ta⁢S 2 , canceling the spontaneous Hall effect. Furthermore, this study highlights a combined neutron-optical approach to identify complex spin textures.

Landau-Lifschitz-Gilbert equation↗
DOE OSTI2023

Coexistence of Merons with Skyrmions in the Centrosymmetric Van Der Waals Ferromagnet Fe 5– x GeTe 2

Fe 5-x GeTe 2 is a centrosymmetric, layered van der Waals (vdW) ferromagnet that displays Curie temperatures T c (270–330 K) that are within the useful range for spintronic applications. However, little is known about the interplay between its topological spin textures (e.g., merons, skyrmions) with technologically relevant transport properties such as the topological Hall effect (THE) or topological thermal transport. Here, via high-resolution Lorentz transmission electron microscopy, it is shown that merons and anti-meron pairs coexist with Néel skyrmions in Fe 5-x GeTe 2 over a wide range of temperatures and probe their effects on thermal and electrical transport. A THE is detected, even at room T, that senses merons at higher T's, as well as their coexistence with skyrmions as T is lowered, indicating an on-demand thermally driven formation of either type of spin texture. Remarkably, an unconventional THE is also observed in absence of Lorentz force, and it is attributed to the interaction between charge carriers and magnetic field-induced chiral spin textures. Here these results expose Fe 5-x GeTe 2 as a promising candidate for the development of applications in skyrmionics/meronics due to the interplay between distinct but coexisting topological magnetic textures and unconventional transport of charge/heat carriers.

two-dimensional magnets↗
DOE OSTI2022

Field-Dependent Magnetic Domain Behavior in van der Waals Fe 3 GeTe 2

Two-dimensional magnetic van der Waals (vdW) materials can show a variety of topological nontrivial spin textures, such as Bloch- or Néel-type stripe, skyrmion, or bubble domains under certain external stimuli. It is critical to understand the magnetic domain behavior in vdW materials in order to control their size and density in response to external stimuli, such as electric and magnetic fields. In this study, we examine the magnetic field dependence of topologically non-trivial magnetization spin textures in vdW Fe 3 GeTe 2 . Néel-type stripe domains and skyrmions are formed depending on the magnetic field-cooling protocol used during in situ Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (LTEM) experiments. Use of quantitative reconstruction of magnetic induction maps and micromagnetic simulations allow for the understanding of the LTEM results of Néel-type stripe domains as well as skyrmions. In addition, the deformation of skyrmion contrast is observed as a result of the introduction of an in-plane magnetic field. We demonstrate the stability of the stripe domains and skyrmions in response to an externally applied magnetic field due to an energy barrier for domain wall annihilation. Our results establish an understanding of the energy landscape that governs the behavior of the topologically non-trivial spin textures in vdW materials which can be harnessed for spintronic applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Interplay between Topological States and Rashba States as Manifested on Surface Steps at Room Temperature

The unique spin texture of quantum states in topological materials underpins many proposed spintronic applications. However, realizations of such great potential are stymied by perturbations, such as temperature and local fields imposed by impurities and defects, that can render a promising quantum state uncontrollable. Here, in this study, we report room-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy observation of interaction between Rashba states and topological surface states, which manifests local electronic structure along step edges controllable by the layer thickness of thin films. The first-principles theoretical calculation elucidates the robust Rashba states coexisting with topological surface states along the surface steps with characteristic spin textures in momentum space. Furthermore, the Rashba edge states can be switched off by reducing the thickness of a topological insulator Bi 2 Se 3 to bolster their interaction with the hybridized topological surface states. The study unveils a manipulating mechanism of the spin textures at room temperature, reinforcing the necessity of thin film technology in controlling the quantum states.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Local Inversion Symmetry Breaking and Thermodynamic Evidence for Ferrimagnetism in Fe 3 GaTe 2

The layered compound Fe 3 GaTe 2 is attracting attention due to its high Curie temperature, low dimensionality, and the presence of topological spin textures above room temperature, making Fe 3 GaTe 2 a good candidate for applications in spintronics. Here, in this study, we show, through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, that Fe 3 GaTe 2 single crystals break local inversion symmetry while maintaining global inversion symmetry according to X-ray diffraction. Coupled to the observation of Néel skyrmions via Lorentz-TEM, our structural analysis provides a convincing explanation for their presence in centrosymmetric materials. Magnetization measurements as a function of the temperature displays a sharp first-order thermodynamic phase-transition leading to a reduction in the magnetic moment. This implies that the ground state of Fe 3 GaTe 2 is globally ferrimagnetic and not a glassy magnetic state composed of ferrimagnetic, and ferromagnetic domains as previously claimed. Neutron diffraction studies indicate that the ferromagnetic to ferrimagnetic transition upon reducing the external magnetic field is associated with a change in the magnetic configuration/coupling between Fe1 and Fe2 moments. We observe a clear correlation between the hysteresis observed in both the skyrmion density and the magnetization of Fe 3 GaTe 2 . This indicates that its topological spin textures are affected by the development of ferrimagnetism upon cooling. Observation, via magnetic force microscopy, of magnetic bubbles at the magnetic phase boundary suggests skyrmions stabilized by the competition among magnetic phases and distinct exchange interactions. Our study provides an explanation for the observation of Néel skyrmions in centrosymmetric systems, while exposing a correlation between the distinct magnetic phases of Fe 3 GaTe 2 and topological spin textures.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Observation of plaid-like spin splitting in a noncoplanar antiferromagnet

Spatial, momentum and energy separation of electronic spins in condensed matter systems guides the development of novel devices where spin-polarized current is generated and manipulated. Recent attention on a set of previously overlooked symmetry operations in magnetic materials leads to the emergence of a new type of spin splitting, enabling giant and momentum-dependent spin polarization of energy bands on selected antiferromagnets. Despite the ever-growing theoretical predictions, the direct spectroscopic proof of such spin splitting is still lacking. Here, we provide solid spectroscopic and computational evidence for the existence of such materials. In the noncoplanar antiferromagnet MnTe 2 , the in-plane components of spin are found to be antisymmetric about the high-symmetry planes of the Brillouin zone, comprising a plaid-like spin texture in the antiferromagnetic (AFM) ground state. Such an unconventional spin pattern, further found to diminish at the high- temperature paramagnetic state, stems from the intrinsic AFM order instead of spin- orbit coupling (SOC). Furthermore, our finding demonstrates a new type of quadratic spin texture induced by time-reversal breaking, placing AFM spintronics on a firm basis and paving the way for studying exotic quantum phenomena in related materials.

Electronic devices↗
DOE OSTI2020

Crystal orientation dependence of interfacial magnetic anisotropy at heavy-metal/magnetic-garnet interfaces

Ferrimagnetic insulators capped with a heavy metal are becoming an increasingly interesting materials system in spintronics due to their unique ability for electrical manipulation and detection of magnetic states and spin textures via spin-orbit torques. The ability to engineer magnetic anisotropy is a powerful tool for tuning the recently discovered phenomena in these bilayers such as electrical switching or the stabilization of topological magnetic textures. Here, we observe large shifts in the magnetic anisotropy in Tm 3 Fe 5 O 13 and Y 3 Fe 5 O 12 thin films due to heavy-metal capping layers, which strongly depends on the orientation of the substrate and therefore the orientation of the epitaxial films. This work suggests large Rashba spin-orbit coupling at the metal/ferrimagneticinsulator interface, which can be engineered in spintronic devices that utilize spin-orbit torques for electrical control of the magnetization in magnetic insulators.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Topological spin memory of antiferromagnetically coupled skyrmion pairs in Co/Gd/Pt multilayers

Antiferromagnetically (AFM) coupled skyrmions offer potential advantages for spintronic devices, including reduced dipolar fields that may enable smaller skyrmion sizes and a reduction of the skyrmion Hall effect. However, the topological stability of AFM-coupled skyrmions subjected to dramatic spin deformation through low-temperature cycling has not been investigated. We report the discovery of a topological spin memory effect for AFM-coupled skyrmion pairs in [Co/Gd/Pt](10) multilayered films. Photoemission electron microscopy imaging shows that bubble skyrmions in the multilayer that are stable at room temperature evolve into complex in-plane spin textures as the temperature is lowered and reform completely when the sample is warmed back up. Simulations demonstrate that Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions play a key role in this spin memory effect, and furthermore reveal that the topological charge is preserved throughout the dramatic spin texture rearrangement and recovery. These results highlight a key aspect of topological protection-the preservation of the topological properties under continuous deformation-and also provide a promising avenue for information encryption and recovery.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗