arXiv subjects

Robert Cubitt

Publications and source records attributed to Robert Cubitt.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Cascade of Spin Moir\'e Superlattices with In-Plane Field in Triangle Lattice Semimetal EuAg$_4$Sb$_2$

EuAg$_4$Sb$_2$ is a rhombohedral europium triangle lattice material that exhibits a rich phase diagram of spin moir\'{e} superlattices (SMS) and single-$q$ magnetic phases. In this paper, we characterize the incommensurate phases accessible with field applied in the plane with small angle neutron scattering (SANS). A variety of phases with unusual SANS patterns are accessible with magnetic field applied along the $a$ and $a^*$ directions. Many of these phases can be understood to be multi-$q$ phases. One phase in particular, ICM2b (ICM=incommensurate magnetic phase), is rather unconventional in that it is an anisotropic multi-$q$ phase that can rotate freely within the $ab$-plane, dependent on magnetic field direction and history. The stabilization of tunable multi-$q$ incommensurate spin textures \textit{via} in-plane field sets this class of materials apart from conventional skyrmion materials. We further identify that the propagation vectors of the in-plane phases have a significant commensuration with the diameter of the smallest pocket of the Fermi surface ($2k_{\text{F}}$). The multi/single-$q$ nature is also correlated with the enhancement of resistivity, suggesting that a gap opens in the electron bands at $q=2k_{\text{F}}$. We also compare with a phenomenological model of the phase diagram. The richness of phases revealed in this study hint at the frustrated nature of the incommensurate magnetism present in EuAg$_4$Sb$_2$ and motivate further probes of these phases and the origin of the stability of spin moir\'{e} superlattices. Finally, the coupling of the multi-$q$ nature and $q=2k_{\text{F}}$ commensuration condition reveals the key requirements for a strong SMS transport response.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Single-$q$ Cycloid and Double-$q$ Vortex Lattices in Layered Magnetic Semimetal EuAg$_4$Sb$_2$

Recently, a host of exotic magnetic textures such as topologically protected skyrmion lattices has been discovered in several bulk metallic lanthanide compounds. In addition to hosting skyrmion phases, a hallmark of this class of materials is the appearance of numerous spin textures characterized by a superposition of multi-$q$ magnetic modulations: spin moir\'{e} superlattices. The nuanced energy landscape thus motivates detailed studies to understand the underlying interactions. Here, we comprehensively characterize and model the three zero-field magnetic textures present in one such material, EuAg$_4$Sb$_2$. Systematic symmetry breaking experiments using magnetic field and strain determine that the ground state incommensurate magnetic phase (ICM1) is single-$q$. In contrast, ICM2 and ICM3 are both double-$q$, \textit{i.e.}, spin moir\'{e} superlattices. Further, through application of polarized small angle neutron scattering and spherical neutron polarimetry, we demonstrate that ICM1 is a single-$q$ cycloid and ICM2 and ICM3 are double-$q$ vortex lattices, with Eu moments lying in the $ab$-plane in zero field and with a ferromagnetic component at finite field. Despite the quasi-2D nature of EuAg$_4$Sb$_2$, the modulations propagate out of the \textit{ab}-plane, leading to a shift of the spin texture between triangle lattice planes. Further, the ICM3 to ICM2 transition includes an unusual 45$^\circ$ rotation of the magnetic vortex lattice. Motivated by the coexistence of such drastically different phases in this compound, we conclude by developing a phenomenological model to understand the stability of these states. Our experimental probes and theoretical modeling definitively characterize three different and tunable phases in one material, and provide insight for the design of new topological spin-texture materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Single-ion anisotropy-stabilized short-period helimagnetism in frustrated chiral Co$_5$TeO$_8$

Chiral spin textures in magnetic insulators promise magneto-electric (ME) spintronics with orders-of-magnitude lower power consumption than metallic systems. However, realizing the short magnetic periods required for high-density device integration remains difficult, as conventional Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI)-based mechanisms typically constrain spiral periods to tens of nanometers. While theory predicts that strong single-ion anisotropy (SIA) on frustrated lattices can stabilize complex non-coplanar textures, the potential for using this mechanism to engineer such compact textures remains largely unexplored. Here we report that a cubic chiral insulator Co$_5$TeO$_8$ provides an experimental example of this paradigm. Comprehensive neutron scattering and magnetometry reveal helimagnetic spirals with continuously tunable pitch of 5.7-10 nm embedded in a complex phase diagram spanning eight distinct phases. Capacitance anomalies throughout the phase diagram indicate magneto-electric coupling, pointing to the possibility of future $E$-field control of these textures. The temperature- and field-dependence of the helical wavevector strongly support a scenario in which site-dependent SIA provides the leading contribution to the selection of the helical period from a frustration-induced degenerate manifold. Consistent with this interpretation, $ab\,initio$ calculations place SIA approximately an order of magnitude above DMI, distinct from conventional helimagnets. Co$_5$TeO$_8$ thus offers an experimental realization of sub-10 nm helimagnetism and motivates a design principle for anisotropy-engineered correlated insulators.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

A Surface-confined Spiral State With the Double Period in the Cubic Chiral Helimagnet Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$

The chiral magnetoelectric insulator Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$ hosts a rich and anisotropic magnetic phase diagram that includes helical, conical, field-polarised, tilted conical, and skyrmion lattice phases. Using resonant elastic x-ray scattering (REXS), we uncover a new spiral state confined to the surface of Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$. This surface-confined spiral state (SSS) displays a real-space pitch of $\sim$120 nm, which remarkably is twice the length of the incommensurate structures observed to-date in Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$. The SSS phase emerges at temperatures below 30~K when the magnetic field is applied between $3^\circ$ to $18^\circ$ away from the $\langle\text{110}\rangle$ crystallographic axes. Its surface localisation is demonstrated through a combination of REXS in reflection and transmission geometries, with complementary small-angle neutron scattering measurements suggesting its absence from the bulk. We attribute the stabilisation of the SSS to competing anisotropic interactions at the crystal surface. The discovery of a robust, surface-confined spiral paves the way for engineering energy-efficient, nanoscale spin-texture platforms for next-generation devices.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Helical spin dynamics in Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$ as measured with small-angle neutron scattering

The insulating chiral magnet Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$ exhibits a rich array of low-temperature magnetic phenomena, making it a prime candidate for the study of its spin dynamics. Using spin wave small-angle neutron scattering (SWSANS), we systematically investigated the temperature-dependent behavior of the helimagnon excitations in the field-polarized phase of Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$. Our measurements, spanning 5-55 K, reveal the temperature evolution of spin-wave stiffness and damping constant with unprecedented resolution, facilitated by the insulating nature of Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$. These findings align with theoretical predictions and resolve discrepancies observed in previous studies, emphasizing the enhanced sensitivity of the SWSANS method. The results provide deeper insights into the fundamental magnetic properties of Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$, contributing to a broader understanding of chiral magnets.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Fluctuation-driven topological Hall effect in room-temperature itinerant helimagnet Fe3Ga4

The topological Hall effect (THE) is a hallmark of a non-trivial geometric spin arrangement in a magnetic metal, originating from a finite scalar spin chirality (SSC). The associated Berry phase is often a consequence of non-coplanar magnetic structures identified by multiple k-vectors. For single-k magnetic structures however with zero SSC, the emergence of a finite topological Hall signal presents a conceptual challenge. Here, we report that a fluctuation-driven mechanism involving chiral magnons is responsible for the observed THE in a low-symmetry compound, monoclinic Fe3Ga4. Through neutron scattering experiments, we discovered several nontrivial magnetic phases in this system. In our focus is the helical spiral phase at room temperature, which transforms into a transverse conical state in applied magnetic field, supporting a significant THE signal up to and above room temperature. Our work offers a fresh perspective in the search for novel materials with intertwined topological magnetic and transport properties.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

Observation by SANS and PNR of pure N\'eel-type domain wall profiles and skyrmion suppression below room temperature in magnetic [Pt/CoFeB/Ru]$_{10}$ multilayers

We report investigations of the magnetic textures in periodic [Pt(1 nm)/(CoFeB(0.8 nm)/Ru(1.4 nm)]$_{10}$ multilayers using polarised neutron reflectometry (PNR) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The multilayers are known to host skyrmions stabilized by Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions induced by broken inversion symmetry and spin-orbit coupling at the asymmetric interfaces. From depth-dependent PNR measurements, we observe well-defined structural features, and obtain the layer-resolved magnetization profiles. The in-plane magnetization of the CoFeB layers calculated from fitting of the PNR profiles is found to be in excellent agreement with magnetometry data. Using SANS as a bulk probe of the entire multilayer, we observe long-period magnetic stripe domains and skyrmion ensembles with full orientational disorder at room temperature. No sign of skyrmions is found below 250\,K, which we suggest is due to an increase of a effective magnetic anisotropy in the CoFeB layer on cooling that suppresses skyrmion stability. Using polarised SANS at room temperature, we prove the existence of pure N\'eel-type windings in both stripe domain and skyrmion regimes. No Bloch-type winding admixture, i.e. an indication for hybrid windings, is detected within the measurement sensitivity, in good agreement with expectations according to our micromagnetic modelling of the multilayers. Our findings using neutron techniques offer valuable microscopic insights into the rich magnetic behavior of skyrmion-hosting multilayers, which are essential for the advancement of future skyrmion-based spintronic devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Tuning topological spin textures in size-tailored chiral magnet insulator particles

Topological spin textures such as skyrmions hold high potential for use as magnetically active elements in diverse near-future applications. While skyrmions in metallic multilayers attract great attention in this context, unleashing the myriad potential of skyrmions for various applications requires the discovery and customization of alternative host system paradigms. Here we developed and applied a chemical method to synthesize octahedral particles of the chiral insulating skyrmion host Cu2OSeO3 with both narrow size distribution, and tailored dimensions approaching the nanoscale. Combining magnetometry and neutron scattering experiments with micromagnetic simulations, we show that the bulk phase diagram of Cu2OSeO3 changes dramatically below octahedral heights of 400 nm. Further particle size-dependent regimes are identified where various topological spin textures such as skyrmions, merons and bobbers can stabilize, prior to a lower critical octahedral height of approx. 190 nm below which no topological spin texture is found stable. These findings suggest conditions under which sparse topological spin textures confined to chiral magnet nanoparticles can be stable, and provide fresh potential for insulator-based application paradigms.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

Development of the magnetism in the solid solution of the candidate Weyl semimetals Ce$_x$Pr$_{1-x}$AlGe

We investigate the macroscopic and microscopic physical properties of the solid solution of Ce$_{1-x}$Pr$_{x}$AlGe. The series tunes from CeAlGe with its multi-$\vec{k}$ structure and a major Moment in the ab-plane, to PrAlGe with an easy-c-axis ferromagnetic ground state co-existing with a low density of nanoscale textured magnetic Domain walls. Using AC-, DC-susceptiblity, resistivity, specific heat, muon spin relaxation/rotation and neutron scattering we analyze the magnetic ground state of the series. We provide further evidence supporting our previous claim for spin-glass like properties in pure PrAlGe. With introduction of Pr to CeAlGe the finite magnetic field required to stabilize the topological multi-$\vec{k}$ magnetic phase for $x=0$ becomes suppressed. The crossover between the two end-member ground states occurs in the vicinity of $x=0.3$, a region where we further anticipate the field-induced topological magnetic phase for $x < 0.3$ to become the zero field ground state.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Oriented Three-Dimensional Magnetic Biskyrmion in MnNiGa Bulk Crystals

A biskyrmion consists of two bound, topologically stable skyrmion spin textures. These coffee-bean-shaped objects have been observed in real-space in thin plates using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (LTEM). From LTEM imaging alone, it is not clear whether biskyrmions are surface-confined objects, or, analogously to skyrmions in non-centrosymmetric helimagnets, three-dimensional tube-like structures in bulk sample. Here, we investigate the biskyrmion form factor in single- and polycrystalline MnNiGa samples using small angle neutron scattering (SANS). We find that biskyrmions are not long-range ordered, not even in single-crystals. Surprisingly all of the disordered biskyrmions have their in-plane symmetry axis aligned along certain directions, governed by the magnetocrystalline anisotropy. This anisotropic nature of biskyrmions may be further exploited to encode information.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Unconventional superconductivity in the nickel-chalcogenide superconductor, TlNi$_2$Se$_2$

We present the results of a study of the vortex lattice (VL) of the nickel chalcogenide superconductor TlNi2Se2, using small angle neutron scattering. This superconductor has the same crystal symmetry as the iron arsenide materials. Previous work points to it being a two-gap superconductor, with an unknown pairing mechanism. No structural transitions in the vortex lattice are seen in the phase diagram, arguing against d-wave gap symmetry. Empirical fits of the temperature-dependence of the form factor and penetration depth rule out a simple s-wave model, supporting the presence of nodes in the gap function. The variation of the VL opening angle with field is consistent with earlier reports of of multiple gaps.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Towards generalized data reduction on a chopper-based time-of-flight neutron reflectometer

The calculation of neutron reflectivity from raw time-of-flight data including instrumental corrections as well as improved resolution calculation is presented. The theoretical calculations are compared to experimental data measured on the vertical sample plane reflectometer D17 and the horizontal sample plane reflectometer FIGARO at the Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble, France (ILL). This article comprises the mathematical body of the time-of-flight reflectivity data reduction software COSMOS which is used on D17 and FIGARO.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2003

Swelling of phospholipid floating bilayers: the effect of chain length

The equilibrium distance between two lipid bilayers stable in bulk water and in proximity of a substrate was investigated. Samples consisted of a homogeneous lipid bilayer, floating near an identical bilayer deposited on the hydrophilic surface of a silicon single crystal. Lipids were saturated di-acyl phosphocholines, with the number of carbon atoms per chain, n, varying from 16 to 20. The average and r.m.s. positions of the floating bilayer were determined by means of neutron specular reflectivity. Samples were prepared at room temperature (i.e. with the lipids in the gel phase) and measurements performed at various temperatures so that the whole region of transition from gel to fluid phase was explored. Data have been interpreted in terms of competition between the interbilayer potential and membrane fluctuations and used to estimate the bending rigidity of the bilayer.

cond-mat.soft↗