arXiv subjects

Mathias Kläui

Publications and source records attributed to Mathias Kläui.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Methods for traceable scanning magnetometry using single nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond: determining orientation, distance and localization

Individual, scannable nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in single crystal diamond nanostructures enable nanoscale, quantitative imaging of magnetic stray fields. Nevertheless, important parameters like distance between the NV center and the sample and the orientation of the NV high symmetry axis are often not known precisely and enter data evaluation as free fitting parameters. We here use scanning NV imaging on micro-patterned, perpendicularly magnetized stripes and discs. From these measurements, we directly infer NV - sample distance d_NV and the NV's azimuthal orientation without the need for an external vector magnet control. We determine d_NV = 31.5 nm, while we infer the azimuthal orientation with a precision of 3°. We additionally employ commercially available silicon needles to image the apex topography of our diamond nanostructures to detect surface contamination. Simultaneously, monitoring NV fluorescence as a function of the needle's position allows us to estimate the lateral placement of the NV inside the diamond nanostructure.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2026

Engineering altermagnetic symmetry to enable anomalous Hall response in Cr$_{1-x}$Mn$_x$Sb

Altermagnets are a promising class of materials for spintronic applications. However, compounds that simultaneously combine the symmetry required to support an anomalous Hall effect with good metallic conductivity and magnetic ordering temperatures well above room temperature have remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate that partial substitution of Cr by Mn in epitaxial CrSb(100) thin films provides a viable route to engineer the combined structural and magnetic symmetry necessary to enable an otherwise symmetry-forbidden anomalous Hall effect. We systematically explore the magnetic phase diagram of Cr(Mn)Sb thin films including neutron diffraction. This allows us to identify a magnetic symmetry that supports the anomalous Hall effect, which we demonstrate in Cr(0.75)Mn(0.25)Sb. Guided by Landau theory, we model the field-driven reorientation of the Neel vector and the resulting anomalous Hall response, achieving good qualitative agreement with the experimental observations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Large bias-tunable magnetoresistance from spin-dependent interlayer hybridization in van der Waals antiferromagnet CrSBr-based heterostructures

We explore the large magnetoresistance (MR) in \ce{hBN}/few-layer-graphene/\ce{CrSBr}/few-layer-graphene heterostructures and reveal the mechanism behind its non-monotonic bias dependence. Using bias voltage and temperature as independent tuning knobs, we achieve MR up to \SI{350}{\percent} at \SI{20}{K}, characterized by symmetric M-shaped maxima around $\pm 0.5\,\mathrm{V}$. Continuous tuning of the magnetization angle $θ$ via a hard-axis magnetic field shows that the barrier band-edge offset varies linearly with $\cos(θ/2)$, a first-order signature of spin-dependent interlayer hybridization. This linear relationship rules out the Jullière model and a spin-filter projection. We conclude that the magnetic-configuration-dependent band edge, rather than electrode spin polarization, dictates the large magnetoresistance in \ce{CrSBr} junctions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2026

Emergence of multiple quasi-ferromagnetic magnon modes induced by strong magnetoelastic coupling in $TmFeO_3$ single crystal

We investigate the magnetization dynamics of $TmFeO_3$ single crystals across the spin-reorientation phase transition using broadband microwave absorption spectroscopy up to 87.5 GHz. Temperature- and magnetic-field-dependent antiferromagnetic resonance measurements reveal the characteristic softening of the quasi-ferromagnetic (q-FM) resonance mode at the $Γ_2\rightarrowΓ_{24}$ and $Γ_{24}\rightarrowΓ_4$ transition points. The finite magnon gap observed at the transition points reflects the strong magnetoelastic coupling. In addition to the uniform q-FM mode, multiple magnon modes appear in the intermediate $Γ_{24}$ phase, separated by approximately 0.5--2 GHz and exhibiting similar field and temperature dependence. These additional modes are attributed to nonuniform spin-wave excitations arising from the periodic magnetic domain structure present in the intermediate phase and their hybridization with acoustic phonons mediated by strong magnetoelastic coupling. Our results demonstrate that the spin-reorientation transition in $TmFeO_3$ provides a natural platform for generating multiple hybridized magnon modes, offering new opportunities for tunable magnonic excitations in rare-earth orthoferrites.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

All optical excitation of spin polarization in d-wave altermagnets

The recently discovered altermagnets exhibit collinear magnetic order with zero net magnetization but with unconventional spin-polarized d/g/i-wave band structures, expanding the known paradigms of ferromagnets and antiferromagnets. In addition to novel current-driven electronic transport effects, the unconventional time-reversal symmetry breaking in these systems also makes it possible to obtain a spin response to \emph{linearly polarized} fields in the optical frequency domain. We show through ab-initio calculations of the prototypical d-wave altermagnet RuO$_2$, with a symmetry combining twofold spin rotation with fourfold lattice rotation, $[C_2\|C_{4z}]$, that there is an optical analogue of a spin splitter effect, as the coupling to a linearly polarized exciting laser field makes the d-wave character of the altermagnet directly visible. By magneto-optical measurements on RuO$_2$ films of different thicknesses ranging from $2$ to $8\,$nanometers, we demonstrate the predicted connection of the linear polarization of an ultrashort pump pulse to the sign and magnitude of the optically excited electronic spin polarization in the ultrathin RuO$_2$ films. The possibility of exciting and controlling an electronic spin polarization by linearly polarized optical pulses in a compensated system is a unique consequence of the altermagnetic material properties. Our experimental results therefore establish an optical pump-probe based protocol for detection of altermagnetic characteristics in ultrathin RuO$_2$ films, but our all-optical approach should apply more generally to materials in this altermagnetic symmetry class.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Probing laser-driven surface and subsurface dynamics via grazing-incidence XFEL scattering and diffraction

We demonstrate a grazing-incidence x-ray platform that simultaneously records time-resolved grazing-incidence small-angle x-ray scattering (GISAXS) and grazing-incidence x-ray diffraction (GID) from a femtosecond laser-irradiated gold film above the melting threshold, with picosecond resolution at an x-ray free-electron laser (XFEL). By tuning the x-ray incidence angle, the probe depth is set to tens of nanometers, enabling depth-selective sensitivity to near-surface dynamics. GISAXS resolves ultrafast changes in surface nanomorphology (correlation length, roughness), while GID quantifies subsurface lattice compression, grain orientation, melting, and recrystallization. The approach overcomes photon-flux limitations of synchrotron grazing-incidence geometries and provides stringent, time-resolved benchmarks for complex theoretical models of ultrafast laser-matter interaction and warm dense matter. Looking ahead, the same depth-selective methodology is well suited to inertial confinement fusion (ICF): it can visualize buried-interface perturbations and interfacial thermal resistance on micron to sub-micron scales that affect instability seeding and burn propagation.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

Ultrafast internal dynamics of chiral domain walls probed by time-resolved XRMS

We measure picosecond dynamics of labyrinthine stripe domains with chiral Néel-type domain walls using time-resolved x-ray resonant magnetic scattering (XRMS). At the stripe-domain wavevector, the helicity-summed signal shows ultrafast demagnetization, recovery, and a weak oscillatory contribution that we identify as a signature of laser-launched coherent surface phonons. In contrast, the dichroic signal, which is sensitive to the in-plane magnetization inside the Néel walls, shows a strong oscillatory response whose frequency decreases with increasing pump fluence. We attribute this softening to pump-induced changes in the effective anisotropy and saturation magnetization, which modify the restoring field of an internal domain-wall mode. Time-resolved XRMS thus isolates wall-specific dynamics and provides access to internal domain-wall motion in disordered stripe textures on picosecond time scales.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

Tunable Phonon-Driven Magnon Spin Currents in Altermagnets

Altermagnets have recently attracted considerable interest due to their unique symmetry-governed spintronic properties. Here, we investigate phonon-induced magnon spin currents in a two-dimensional altermagnet. Starting from a microscopic theory of the coupled magnon-phonon system, we derive the nonequilibrium magnon distribution generated by selective phonon excitations. We show that the resulting spin currents exhibit a pronounced d-wave symmetry with respect to the phonon momentum. Moreover, the spin current along the altermagnetic directions can be completely reversed by tuning the phonon frequency. These findings establish altermagnets as promising platforms for realizing highly tunable, phonon-driven coherent terahertz magnon spin currents.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2026

Magnetic Microscopy of Skyrmions in Magnetic Thin Films with Chiral Overlayers

Topologically nontrivial magnetic textures such as skyrmions offer promising opportunities for spintronic applications. In recent years, it has been shown that the magnetic properties of layered materials can be affected by depositing chiral molecules on the surface, while the influence of chiral overlayers on skyrmion properties such as their stability and interactions remains largely unexplored. To address this challenge, we employ wide-field nitrogen-vacancy (NV) magnetometry to directly image skyrmions in chiral-molecule-functionalized magnetic thin films, enabling quantitative mapping of magnetic stray fields over extended areas under ambient conditions. Using pixel-resolved optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) combined with controlled magnetic fields, we reproducibly nucleate and probe skyrmion states in CoFeB ferromagnetic samples, enabling quantitative investigation of their properties. We find evidence for enantioselective and magnetic-field-polarity-dependent modifications of skyrmion diameter, spacing, and shape, pointing to a possibility of molecular control of topological spin textures via magneto-chiral coupling.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Skyrmion Lattice Domain Formation in a Non-Flat Energy Landscape

Magnetic skyrmions are chiral spin structures with non-trivial topology that comprise two-dimensional quasi-particles and are promising information carriers for data storage and processing devices. Skyrmion lattices in magnetic thin films exhibit Kosterlitz-Thouless-Halperin-Nelson-Young (KTHNY) phase transitions and have garnered significant interest for studying emergent 2D phase behavior. In experimental skyrmion lattices, the main factor limiting the quasi-long-range order in thin films has been the non-flat energy landscape - often referred to as pinning effects. We demonstrate direct control of the skyrmion lattice order by effectively tuning the energy landscape employing magnetic field oscillations. By quantifying lattice order and dynamics, we explore how domain boundaries form and evolve due to pinning effects in Kerr microscopy experiments and in Brownian dynamics simulations, offering a pathway to control and study emergent skyrmion lattice properties and 2D phase behavior.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2026

Giant orbital magnetoresistance in the antiferromagnet CoO driven by dynamic orbital angular momentum interaction

Recent predictions of orders of magnitude larger orbital current effects compared to spin currents have attracted significant interest. However, the full potential of giant orbital currents remains to be fully harnessed, since so far, the orbital currents need to be converted into spin currents before they can interact with the static magnetization that is dominated by spin angular momentum in conventional magnets. By using a magnet dominated by orbital angular momentum, we demonstrate a more than fifty-fold enhancement in orbital Hall magnetoresistance in CoO/Cu*, compared to conventional CoO/Pt. This is found to be driven by a unique interaction between dynamic orbital angular momentum from surface oxidized Cu* (i.e., the orbital current) and the static orbital angular momentum which constitutes the magnetic moments in the antiferromagnetic insulator CoO. A distinctive scattering mechanism for orbital currents at the CoO interface leads to a sign reversal in orbital magnetoresistance in CoO/Cu* compared to CoO/Pt. Our results show how by using orbital angular momentum-dominated materials such as CoO, we can harness the benefits of giant orbital currents that have not been possible using conventional spin-dominated magnets, for orbitronics-based devices, offering unprecedented energy efficiency for operations of antiferromagnets that combine ultimate stability with THz dynamics.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Emergence of a spin Hall topological Hall effect in the non-collinear phase of the ferrimagnetic insulator terbium-iron garnet

Magnetic compensation in rare-earth iron garnets (REIGs) offers a unique setting for which competing sublattice moments can give rise to non-collinear (canted) magnetic configurations, in which the sublattice magnetizations are not aligned with each other or with the external magnetic field. We show that this compensation regime can also host non-trivial magnetic textures. To explore this behavior, we investigated (111)-oriented epitaxial Tb$_3$Fe$_5$O$_{12}$/Pt heterostructures across the compensation temperature region using combined transverse magneto-transport and polar Kerr microscopy. Notably, we observe a topological Hall-like signal in the vicinity of the compensation temperature, a feature often interpreted as evidence for skyrmions in the absence of direct imaging. Here, in contrast, complementary Kerr microscopy reveals instead a non-collinear multidomain state which collapses outside the compensation regime, correlating directly with the appearance and disappearance of the spin Hall topological Hall effect (SH-THE) signal. These observations cannot be accounted for by a simple multi-anomalous-Hall-effect model, ruling out common artifacts as the origin, but indicate the presence of a topologically non-trivial contribution to the Hall response. These results establish strained REIG films as a tunable platform for exploring topological responses arising from compensation-driven non-collinear ferrimagnetic phases.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Higher-order Hall response arises from octupole order and scalar spin chirality in a noncollinear antiferromagnet

Noncollinear antiferromagnets can generate a transverse electrical response known as the anomalous Hall effect, even though they possess almost no net magnetization. The microscopic origin of this behaviour, however, has remained unclear because conventional measurement geometries mix different contributions to the measured response. Here, we show that applying magnetic fields in selected in-plane directions allows us to disentangle the mechanisms underlying the Hall effect in a representative noncollinear antiferromagnet. By suppressing any dipole-related signal, we isolate a purely octupole-driven Hall response that exhibits a characteristic three-fold angular symmetry. At low magnetic fields, we further observe an additional Hall-like contribution that arises from the scalar spin chirality associated with noncoplanar spin textures. Combining symmetry analysis, first-principles calculations, and transport measurements, we reveal that octupole order, dipole moments, and chirality coexist and contribute in distinct field regimes. These findings establish a framework for identifying and controlling complex magnetic order parameters for spintronic applications.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2026

Surface-Localized Magnetic Order in RuO2 Thin Films Revealed by Low-Energy Muon Probes

Ruthenium dioxide (RuO2) has recently emerged as a candidate altermagnet, yet its intrinsic magnetic ground state, particularly in thin films, remains debated. This study aims to clarify the nature and spatial extent of the magnetic order in RuO2 thin films grown under different conditions. Thin films of RuO2 with thicknesses of 30 nm and 33 nm are fabricated by pulsed laser deposition and sputtering onto TiO2(110) and Al2O3(1-102) substrates, respectively. Low-energy muon spin rotation/relaxation (LE-muSR) with depth-resolved sensitivity measurements is performed in transverse magnetic fields (TF) from 4 K to 290 K. The muSR data collected with a muon implantation energy of 1 keV reveal that magnetic signals originate from the near-surface region of the film (<10 nm), and the affected volume fraction is at most about 8.5%. The localized magnetic response is consistent across different substrates, growth techniques, and parameter sets, suggesting a common origin related to surface defects and dimensionality effects. The combined use of TF-muSR and the study of depth-dependent implantation with low-energy muons provides direct evidence for surface-confined, inhomogeneous static magnetic order in RuO2 thin films, helping reconcile discrepancies. These findings underscore the importance of considering reduced-dimensional contributions and motivate further investigation into the role of defects, strain, and stoichiometry on the magnetic properties of RuO2, especially at the surface.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2026

Angle-Dependent Magnetoresistance Induced by Interface-Generated Spin Current in RuO$_2$/Permalloy Heterostructures

Altermagnets, a recently discovered class of magnetic materials exhibiting ferromagnetic-like spin-split bands and antiferromagnetic-like compensated magnetic order, have attracted significant interest for next-generation spintronic applications. Ruthenium dioxide (RuO2) has emerged as a promising altermagnetic candidate due to its compensated antiparallel magnetic order and strong spin-split electronic bands. However, recent experimental and theoretical reports also suggest that RuO2 may be non-magnetic in its ground state, underscoring the need for deeper investigations into its magnetic character. Specifically, the (100)-oriented RuO2 films are expected to generate spin currents with transverse spin polarization parallel to the Néel vector. Here, we investigate magnetotransport in epitaxial RuO2/Permalloy (Py) heterostructures to examine spin Hall magnetoresistance and interfacial effects generated in such systems. Our measurements reveal a pronounced negative angular-dependent magnetoresistance for variation of magnetic field direction perpendicular to the charge current direction. Detailed temperature-, magnetic field-, and crystallographic orientation-dependent measurements indicate that interface-generated spin current (IGSC) at the RuO2/Py interface predominantly governs the observed magnetoresistance. This shows that strong interface effects dominate over possible altermagnetic contributions from RuO2. Our results show that the role of interface-generated spin currents is crucial and should not be overlooked in studies of altermagnetic systems. A critical step in this direction is disentangling interfacial from altermagnetic contributions. The insight into interfacial contributions from altermagnetic influences is essential for the advancement of RuO2 based spintronic memory and sensing applications.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2026

The 2026 Skyrmionics Roadmap

Magnetic skyrmions and related topological spin textures have emerged as a central topic in condensed-matter physics, combining fundamental significance with potential for transformative applications in spintronics, magnonics, and beyond. Over the past decade, advances in material platforms, imaging techniques, theoretical modeling, and device concepts have established skyrmionics as a rapidly expanding field. At the same time, challenges remain in stabilizing, controlling, and integrating such textures into functional architectures, while novel phenomena such as antiskyrmions, higher-order skyrmions, hopfions, and antiferromagnetic textures arise. The 2026 Skyrmionics Roadmap represents a collective effort of many authors, providing a comprehensive perspective on the current state-of-the-art and the outlook for the coming years. In 33 focused sections, each co-authored by two researchers, we chart progress in theory and modeling, material systems, skyrmion dynamics, and skyrmion technologies. By offering a consolidated vision, this Roadmap aims to guide both fundamental research and application-driven efforts, accelerating the transition of skyrmionics from conceptual breakthroughs toward practical technologies.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Terahertz switching of antiferromagnetic order by Néel spin-orbit torques

Ultrafast electric manipulation of magnetic order in solids is critical for the development of future terahertz data processing. A fascinating concept for such high-speed operation is offered in metallic antiferromagnets by Néel spin-orbit torque. It should allow one to coherently rotate the ordered spins by simply applying an electric current of suitable amplitude and polarity. However, such switching has been severely hampered by competing heat-induced effects, and it has not yet been achieved on the intrinsically ultrafast time scales of antiferromagnets. Here, we report robust, direction-controlled and non-thermal rotation of the Néel vector $\mathbf{L}$ by $\pm$90° at room temperature in the antiferromagnet Mn$_2$Au driven by phase-locked terahertz current pulses. All observed features are consistent with ultrafast Néel spin-orbit torque: First, nonlinear optical imaging reveals that the terahertz current direction sets the final orientation of $\mathbf{L}$ in the absence of any bias field for at least two months. Second, transient optical birefringence shows that the switching proceeds ultrafast in less than 15 picoseconds. Finally, atomistic spin-dynamics simulations reproduce the observed dynamics and confirm the minor role of thermal effects. While the switching is already one order of magnitude faster than in ferromagnets at comparable dissipated energy, our simulations predict routes toward switching times and energies which are another order of magnitude lower. Our approach can be transferred to electric-field-driven switching in many more antiferromagnets, including magnetoelectric insulators. The engineering of spin torques, resonance frequencies and read-out mechanisms provides an exciting pathway toward on-chip applications of terahertz antiferromagnetic spin-orbitronics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Controlling Skyrmion Lattice Orientation with Local Magnetic Field Gradients

Precise control over the formation and arrangement of magnetic skyrmion lattices is essential for understanding their emergent behavior and advancing their integration into spintronic and magnonic devices. We report on a simple and minimally invasive technique to nucleate and manipulate skyrmion lattices in soft magnetic CoFeB using single-pass magnetic force microscopy (MFM). By tuning the scan-line spacing to match the intrinsic stripe domain periodicity, the stray field gradient from the MFM tip induces reversible transitions from stripe domains to isolated skyrmions and locally ordered lattices. The resulting skyrmion positions are extracted to compute the local orientational order parameter $ψ_6$, enabling quantitative evaluation of lattice ordering. A systematic improvement in $\langle |ψ_6| \rangle$ is observed with repeated scanning, indicating a transition from a disordered state to ordered hexagonal lattices. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the lattice orientation can be deterministically rotated by changing the scanning direction, as confirmed by both real-space analysis and fast Fourier transformations. This method enables the controlled creation, reordering, and deletion of metastable skyrmion textures on demand. Our approach establishes a practical and accessible platform for studying two-dimensional phase behavior in topological spin systems, offering direct and reconfigurable control over lattice symmetry, order, and orientation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗