Journal Article

PUBDB-2023-03871

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Understanding unconventional magnetic order in a candidate axion insulator by resonant elastic x-ray scattering

Soh, J. R. (Corresponding author) ; Bombardi, A. ; Mila, F. ; Rahn, M. ; Prabhakaran, D. ; Francoual, S.DESY* ; Rønnow, H. M. ; Boothroyd, A. (Corresponding author)Extern*

2023
Nature Publishing Group UK [London]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1038/s41467-023-39138-5  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2023-03871

Abstract: Magnetic topological insulators and semimetals are a class of crystalline solids whose properties are strongly influenced by the coupling between non-trivial electronic topology and magnetic spin configurations. Such materials can host exotic electromagnetic responses. Among these are topological insulators with certain types of antiferromagnetic order which are predicted to realize axion electrodynamics. Here we investigate the highly unusual helimagnetic phases recently reported in EuIn₂As₂, which has been identified as a candidate for an axion insulator. Using resonant elastic x-ray scattering we show that the two types of magnetic order observed in EuIn₂As₂ are spatially uniform phases with commensurate chiral magnetic structures, ruling out a possible phase separation scenario, and we propose that entropy associated with low energy spin fluctuations plays a significant role in driving the phase transition between them. Our results establish that the magnetic order in EuIn₂As₂ satisfies the symmetry requirements for an axion insulator.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. DOOR-User (DOOR ; HAS-User)
2. PETRA-S (FS-PETRA-S)

Research Program(s):

1. 632 - Materials – Quantum, Complex and Functional Materials (POF4-632) (POF4-632)
2. 6G3 - PETRA III (DESY) (POF4-6G3) (POF4-6G3)
3. HERO - Hidden, entangled and resonating orders (810451) (810451)

Experiment(s):

1. PETRA Beamline P09 (PETRA III)

Appears in the scientific report 2023

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