arXiv subjects

Arnob Mukherjee

Publications and source records attributed to Arnob Mukherjee.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Mechanical control of magnetic exchange and response in GdRu$_2$Si$_2$: A computational study

We present a systematic computational study of the effect of uniaxial strain on the magnetic properties of GdRu$_2$Si$_2$, a centrosymmetric material known to host a field-induced skyrmion lattice (SkL). Using first-principles density functional theory, we first demonstrate the pronounced sensitivity of the exchange and anisotropy to specific structural distortions. These DFT-derived interactions are then integrated into a classical spin model to construct comprehensive magnetic phase diagrams under both compressive and tensile strain. Our key finding is that compressive strain ($\sim 2\%$) acts as an effective tuning parameter, substantially expanding the stability region of the $\vec Q_{100}$-driven topologically nontrivial phases. This results from the shifts in the critical magnetic fields and enhancement of the energy scale of the favored magnetic wave vector. In contrast, tensile strain induces a different magnetic ground-state by promoting a different magnetic ordering vector, $\vec Q_{110}$, leading to entirely distinct phase behavior. This work not only provides a quantitative understanding of the structural-magnetic coupling in GdRu$_2$Si$_2$ but also establishes strain engineering as a powerful approach to control and optimize topologically non-trivial magnetic phases in centrosymmetric magnets.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Electric field controlled second-order anomalous Hall effect in altermagnets

Altermagnets are a recently discovered class of compensated magnets with momentum-dependent spin splittings and unusual transport properties, even without a net magnetization. In the presence of combined four-fold rotation and time-reversal ($C_4\mathcal{T}$) symmetry, linear and also second-order, driven by a Berry curvature dipole, anomalous Hall responses are forbidden in any pure $d$-wave altermagnet. Nevertheless, here we find that the nontrivial quantum metric of the occupied Bloch states allows for an electric field induced Berry curvature dipole, which generates a strong and tunable second-order Hall current, enabling it to be switched on or off by simply adjusting the relative orientation between the symmetry-reducing dc field and the ac probe field. Specifically, we investigate the electric field induced second-order anomalous Hall response in a two-dimensional Rashba-coupled hybrid altermagnet that interpolates between $d_{x^2-y^2}$ ($B_{1g}$) and $d_{xy}$ ($B_{2g}$) altermagnet symmetry, motivated by recent proposals for mixed-symmetry states. Crucially, the nonlinear signal is highly sensitive to the underlying symmetry of the altermagnetic order at specific doping levels, offering a purely electrical method to distinguish distinct altermagnetic orders. Our results position hybrid altermagnets as a promising platform for controllable nonlinear transport and spintronic applications.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Complex magnetic exchange, anisotropy and skyrmionic textures in two-dimensional FeXZ$_{2}$ (\textit{X} = Nb, Ta and \textit{Z} = S, Se, Te) ferromagnets

FeNbTe$_{2}$, long known as a van der Waals metallic system, has recently been resynthesized and shown to exhibit ferromagnetic order. In this study, using first-principles density functional theory (DFT), we aim to provide a deeper insight into the magnetic properties of FeNbTe$_{2}$ and its related compounds (FeXZ$_{2}$, \textit{X} = Nb, Ta; \textit{Z} = S, Se, Te), in their two-dimensional form, including their non-centrosymmetric Janus counterparts. Our results indicate that these materials are energetically, dynamically, thermally, and mechanically stable, supporting the possibility of FeNbTe$_{2}$ exfoliation and potential for experimental realization of new compounds. An evolutionary structure search suggests that FeNbTe$_{2}$ retains its monoclinic symmetry in the monolayer form. Our analysis of hopping parameters obtained from Wannierization of DFT bands shows that the nearest-neighbor magnetic interactions are primarily direct, while second-nearest and more distant interactions are mediated by the chalcogen atoms. Interestingly, although the second-nearest-neighbor interactions are smaller in magnitude, they appear to play a key role in determining the magnetic ordering in these systems. We also find evidence of canted magnetic anisotropy in FeXZ$_{2}$ compounds, with relatively strong magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy and easy-axis deviations of up to 41$^\circ$ from the out-of-plane direction-an uncommon and potentially useful feature for spintronic applications. Curie temperatures estimated from Monte Carlo simulations are below room temperature but above cryogenic levels for most compounds. Micromagnetic simulations revealed that Janus-structured FeNbSeTe can host Néel-type skyrmions even in the absence of an external magnetic field, making this compound a suitable candidate for further experimental studies.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Emergence of topological superconductivity in the presence of chiral magnetism in 2D CrInTe$_3$

We propose a general framework for designing a two-dimensional (2D) topological superconductor (TSC) using a magnet-superconductor hybrid system. This setup involves a monolayer of CrInTe$_3$, which hosts noncoplanar magnetic textures, in proximity to a 2D $s$-wave superconducting layer. Serving as an alternative to $p$-wave superconductors, this configuration induces a topological superconducting phase and is a promising platform for realizing the 2D Kitaev model, which supports Majorana zero-energy modes through emergent $p$-wave symmetry superconducting pairing. Notably, the magnetic moments break time-reversal symmetry while the superconducting state preserves particle-hole symmetry, placing our system in the Altland-Zirnbauer class $D$ and ensuring robust Majorana excitations. We first perform density functional theory-based simulations to study a monolayer of CrInTe$_3$, from which essential magnetic characteristic parameters, such as Heisenberg exchange interaction and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI), are calculated using the state-of-the-art Liechtenstein-Katsnelson-Antropov-Gubanov (LKAG) approach. With a substantial DMI coupling exhibited in CrInTe$_3$, large-scale Monte Carlo simulations reveal the stabilization of a noncoplanar spiral magnetic state as ground state. In this magnetic phase, we observe a transition from corner modes in the zero-energy local density of states (LDOS) to edge modes as the chemical potential ($μ$) varies. Furthermore, under a finite magnetic field, the system enters a mixed magnetic state, characterized by isolated skyrmions and spiral domain walls, which lead to unique low-energy localization of electronic wave functions, rendering the system an insulator. Finally, we discuss potential experimental realizations of TSC in this magnet-superconductor interfacial system, using real-space probes such as scanning tunneling microscopy (STM).

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2024

Unveiling Mysteries of GdRu$_2$Si$_2$: 3D Magnetism in a layered like Magnet

GdRu$_2$Si$_2$, a centrosymmetric magnet with a square lattice of Gd atoms, hosts a short-period skyrmion square lattice (SkL) without Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI). RKKY-type exchange between the Gd moments results in an exchange frustration, which is the main source of non-collinearity in the spiral phases of the system. Previous studies focused on the in-plane $\vec{Q}$ vectors in understanding the magnetic phases of the system as they appear and have been observed on the 2D Gd layers. In this work, we calculate the Gd-Gd magnetic exchange interactions ($J_{ij}$) and perform atomic spin dynamics (ASD) simulations, providing new insights about GdRu$_2$Si$_2$. Our calculated $J_{ij}$ shows that the strongest magnetic interaction occurs between Gd atoms along the [111] body-diagonal direction of the unit cell. This, along with the body-centered tetragonal structure of the Gd sublattice, points to the presence of a hitherto ignored modulation vector, $\vec{Q}_{[111]}$, along the [111] direction in the spiral phases of the system. ASD simulations confirm this interlayer modulation, demonstrating that GdRu$_2$Si$_2$'s magnetic phases are more complex than suggested by 2D layer observations. The total magnetic order is determined by $\vec{Q}_{[111]}$ alongside intralayer $\vec{Q}_{[100]}$ and $\vec{Q}_{[010]}$, establishing GdRu$_2$Si$_2$ as a strong 3D magnet requiring comprehensive theoretical modeling. Considering these, our ASD simulations accurately reproduce experimental phase transitions and highlight the significant role of dipolar interactions (due to the large Gd moment) over a weak uniaxial anisotropy in determining the ground state. This work enhances the understanding of GdRu$_2$Si$_2$'s complex magnetism, suggesting similar interlayer effects may be important in other layered magnetic systems.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Engineering antiferromagnetic skyrmions and antiskyrmions at metallic interfaces

We identify a mechanism to convert skyrmions and antiskyrmions into their antiferromagnetic (AFM) counterparts via interfacial engineering. The key idea is to combine properties of an antiferromagnet and a spin-orbit (SO) coupled metal. Utilizing hybrid Monte Carlo (HMC) simulations for a generic microscopic electronic Hamiltonian for the interfacial layers, we explicitly show the emergence of AFM skyrmions and AFM antiskyrmions. We further show that an effective spin Hamiltonian provides a simpler understanding of the results. We discuss the role of electronic itinerancy in determining the nature of magnetic textures, and demonstrate that the mechanism also allows for a tuning of antiskyrmion size without changing the SO coupling.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2021

Antiskyrmions and Bloch Skyrmions in Magnetic Dresselhaus Metals

We present a microscopic electronic description of how antiskyrmions can be stabilized in a Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupled magnetic metal. Furthermore, we show that the antiskyrmions can be tuned into Bloch skyrmions via a change in sign of hopping integral. The results are based on the state of the art hybrid Monte Carlo simulations. Origin of such topological textures is understood via an effective spin-only model. Our results uncover a novel connection between two very distinct topological spin textures of immense current interest, and present a microscopic explanation of skyrmion formation reported recently in certain magnetic Weyl semimetals.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2021

Antiferromagnetic Skyrmion Crystals in the Rashba Hund's Model on Triangular Lattice

Motivated by the importance of antiferromagnetic skyrmions as building blocks of next-generation data storage and processing devices, we report theoretical and computational analysis of a model for a spin-orbit coupled correlated magnet on a triangular lattice. We find that two distinct antiferromagnetic skyrmion crystal (AF-SkX) states can be stabilized at low temperatures in the presence of external magnetic field. The results are obtained via Monte Carlo simulations on an effective magnetic model derived from the microscopic electronic Hamiltonian consisting of Rashba spin-orbit coupling, as well as the Hund's rule coupling of electrons to large classical spins. The two AF-SkX phases are understood to originate from a classical spin liquid state that exists at low but finite temperatures. These AF-SkX states can be easily distinguished from each other in experiments as they are characterized by peaks at distinct momenta in the spin structure factor which is directly measured in neutron scattering experiments. We also discuss examples of materials where the model as well as the two AF-SkX states can be realized.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

Rashba-Zener mechanism for nanoscale skyrmions and topological metals

We report a microscopic electronic mechanism for nanoscale skyrmion formation and topological metalicity. The mechanism, which relies on combining the classic double-exchange (DE) physics with the Rashba spin orbit coupling (SOC), not only provides an accurate understanding of existence of skyrmions but also explains key features in small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (LTEM) data on thin films of a variety of magnetic metals. The skyrmion states are characterized as disordered topological metals via explicit calculations of Bott index and Hall conductivity. Local density of states (LDOS) display characteristic oscillations that are shown to be arising from a combination of confinement effect and gauge-field induced Landau level physics. The presence of oscillations in LDOS, without external magnetic flux, is a direct consequence of the Rashba-Zener (RZ) mechanism. The results are based on hybrid simulations on a model that explicitly retains itinerant electronic degrees of freedom. A simple physical picture is provided via an effective short-range spin model with coupling constants that depend on electronic kinetic energy. The mechanism reported here not only opens up a new approach to understand skyrmion formation in metals, but also provides a guiding principle for discovering exotic topological metal states.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

Antiferromagnetic Skyrmions and Skyrmion Density Wave in Rashba Hund's Insulator

We discover magnetic phases hosting highly-elusive and technologically important antiferromagnetic skyrmion quasiparicles in a model for Rashba-coupled Hund's insulator. The results are based on unbiased simulations of a classical superexchange model derived, in this work, from a realistic microscopic electronic Hamiltonian. We also discover a novel skyrmion density wave groundstate characterized by a ($Q,Q$) modulation in the local skyrmion density map. A unique inhomogeneous state characterized by a circular pattern in spin structure factor and filamentary real-space textures is identified as the parent of sparse antiferromagnetic skyrmions. We predict that the magnetic states reported here can be realized in thin films of multiorbital systems involving $4d$ or $5d$ transition metals.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

New Microscopic Magnetic Hamiltonian for Exotic Spin Textures in Metals

We derive a new microscopic spin Hamiltonian for Rashba-coupled double exchange metals. The Hamiltonian consists of anisotropic interactions of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) and Kitaev form, in addition to the standard isotropic term. We validate the spin Hamiltonian by comparing results with those on the exact spin-fermion model, and present its phase diagram using large scale Monte Carlo simulations. In addition to ferromagnetic, planar spiral and flux states, the model hosts skyrmion crystal and classical spin-liquid states characterized, respectively, by multiple peaks and a diffuse ring pattern in the spin structure factor. The filamentary domain wall structures in the spin-liquid state are in remarkable agreement with experimental data on thin films of MnSi-type B20 metals and transition metals and their alloys.

cond-mat.str-el↗