arXiv · 2204.01636
Evidence of Noncollinear Spin Texture in Magnetic Moir\'e Superlattices
Abstract
Moir\'e magnetism, parallel with moir\'e electronics that has led to novel correlated and topological electronic states, emerges as a new venue to design and control exotic magnetic phases in twisted magnetic two-dimensional(2D) crystals. Here, we report direct evidence of noncollinear spin texture in 2D twisted double bilayer (tDB) magnet chromium triiodide (CrI$_3$). Using magneto-optical spectroscopy in tDB CrI$_3$, we revealed the presence of a net magnetization, unexpected from the composing antiferromagnetic bilayers with compensated magnetizations, and the emergence of noncollinear spins, originated from the moir\'e exchange coupling-induced spin frustrations. Exploring the twist angle dependence, we demonstrated that both features are present in tDB CrI$_3$ with twist angles from 0.5$^o$ to 5$^o$, but are most prominent in the 1.1$^o$ tDB CrI$_3$. Focusing on the temperature dependence of the 1.1$^o$ tDB CrI$_3$, we resolved the dramatic suppression in the net magnetization onset temperature and the significant softening of noncollinear spins, as a result of the moir\'e induced frustration. Our results demonstrate the power of moir\'e superlattices in introducing novel magnetic phenomena that are absent in natural 2D magnets.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Hongchao Xie, Xiangpeng Luo, Zhipeng Ye, Gaihua Ye, Haiwen Ge, Shaohua Yan, Yang Fu, Shangjie Tian, Hechang Lei, Kai Sun, Rui He, Liuyan Zhao. 2022-04-04. Evidence of Noncollinear Spin Texture in Magnetic Moir\'e Superlattices. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-023-02061-z
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.