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arXiv · 2006.07656

Robust A-type order and spin-flop transition on the surface of the antiferromagnetic topological insulator MnBi$_2$Te$_4$

Paul M. Sass·Jinwoong Kim·David Vanderbilt·Jiaqiang Yan·Weida Wu
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Abstract

Here we present microscopic evidence of the persistence of uniaxial A-type antiferromagnetic order to the surface layers of MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ single crystals using magnetic force microscopy. Our results reveal termination-dependent magnetic contrast across both surface step edges and domain walls, which can be screened by thin layers of soft magnetism. The robust surface A-type order is further corroborated by the observation of termination-dependent surface spin-flop transitions, which have been theoretically proposed decades ago. Our results not only provide key ingredients for understanding the electronic properties of the antiferromagnetic topological insulator MnBi$_2$Te$_4$, but also open a new paradigm for exploring intrinsic surface metamagnetic transitions in natural antiferromagnets.

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Paul M. Sass, Jinwoong Kim, David Vanderbilt, Jiaqiang Yan, Weida Wu. 2020-06-13. Robust A-type order and spin-flop transition on the surface of the antiferromagnetic topological insulator MnBi$_2$Te$_4$. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.125.037201

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