arXiv subjects

Y. Tokura

Publications and source records attributed to Y. Tokura.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Magnetic modulation doping in topological insulators toward higher-temperature quantum anomalous Hall effect

Quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE), which generates dissipation-less edge current without external magnetic field, is observed in magnetic-ion doped topological insulators (TIs), such as Cr- and V-doped (Bi,Sb)2Te3. The QAHE emerges when the Fermi level is inside the magnetically induced gap around the original Dirac point of the TI surface state. Although the size of gap is reported to be about 50 meV, the observable temperature of QAHE has been limited below 300 mK. We attempt magnetic-Cr modulation doping into topological insulator (Bi,Sb)2Te3 films to increase the observable temperature of QAHE. By introducing the rich-Cr-doped thin (1 nm) layers at the vicinity of the both surfaces based on non-Cr-doped (Bi,Sb)2Te3 films, we have succeeded in observing the QAHE up to 2 K. The improvement in the observable temperature achieved by this modulation-doping appears to be originating from the suppression of the disorder in the surface state interacting with the rich magnetic moments. Such a superlattice designing of the stabilized QAHE may pave a way to dissipation-less electronics based on the highertemperature and zero magnetic-field quantum conduction.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Fermi level dependent charge-to-spin current conversion by Dirac surface state of topological insulators

The spin-momentum locking at the Dirac surface state of a topological insulator (TI) offers a distinct possibility of a highly efficient charge-to-spin current (C-S) conversion compared with spin Hall effects in conventional paramagnetic metals. For the development of TI-based spin current devices, it is essential to evaluate its conversion efficiency quantitatively as a function of the Fermi level EF position. Here we exemplify a coefficient of qICS to characterize the interface C-S conversion effect by using spin torque ferromagnetic resonance (ST-FMR) for (Bi1-xSbx)2Te3 thin films whose EF is tuned across the band gap. In bulk insulating conditions, interface C-S conversion effect via Dirac surface state is evaluated as nearly constant large values of qICS, reflecting that the qICS is inversely proportional to the Fermi velocity vF that is almost constant. However, when EF traverses through the Dirac point, the qICS is remarkably suppressed possibly due to the degeneracy of surface spins or instability of helical spin structure. These results demonstrate that the fine tuning of the EF in TI based heterostructures is critical to maximizing the efficiency using the spin-momentum locking mechanism.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Topological stability versus thermal agitation in a metastable magnetic skyrmion lattice

Topologically stable matters can have a long lifetime, even if thermodynamically costly, when the thermal agitation is sufficiently low. A magnetic skyrmion lattice (SkL) represents a unique form of long-range magnetic order that is topologically stable, and therefore, a long-lived, metastable SkL can form. Experimental observations of the SkL in bulk crystals, however, have mostly been limited to a finite and narrow temperature region in which the SkL is thermodynamically stable; thus, the benefits of the topological stability remain unclear. Here, we report a metastable SkL created by quenching a thermodynamically stable SkL. Hall-resistivity measurements of MnSi reveal that, although the metastable SkL is short-lived at high temperatures, the lifetime becomes prolonged (>> 1 week) at low temperatures. The manipulation of a delicate balance between thermal agitation and the topological stability enables a deterministic creation/annihilation of the metastable SkL by exploiting electric heating and subsequent rapid cooling, thus establishing a facile method to control the formation of a SkL.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Thermal generation of spin current in an antiferromagnet

Longitudinal spin Seebeck effect has been investigated for an uniaxial antiferromagnetic insulator Cr2O3, characterized by a spin-flop transition under magnetic field along the c-axis. We have found that temperature gradient applied normal to Cr2O3/Pt interface induces inverse spin Hall voltage of spin current origin in Pt, whose magnitude turns out to be always proportional to magnetization in Cr2O3. The observed voltage shows significant enhancement for the lower temperature region, which can be ascribed to the phonon-drag effect on the relevant spin excitations. The above results establish that antiferromagnetic spin waves with high frequency above 100 GHz can be an effective carrier of spin current.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Quantum Hall States Stabilized in Semi-magnetic Bilayers of Topological Insulators

By breaking the time-reversal-symmetry in three-dimensional topological insulators with introduction of spontaneous magnetization or application of magnetic field, the surface states become gapped, leading to quantum anomalous Hall effect or quantum Hall effect, when the chemical potential locates inside the gap. Further breaking of inversion symmetry is possible by employing magnetic topological insulator heterostructures that host nondegenerate top and bottom surface states. Here, we demonstrate the tailored-material approach for the realization of robust quantum Hall states in the bilayer system, in which the cooperative or cancelling combination of the anomalous and ordinary Hall responses from the respective magnetic and non-magnetic layers is exemplified. The appearance of quantum Hall states at filling factor 0 and +1 can be understood by the relationship of energy band diagrams for the two independent surface states. The designable heterostructures of magnetic topological insulator may explore a new arena for intriguing topological transport and functionality.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Pressure and magnetic-field effects on metal-insulator transitions of bulk and domain-wall states in pyrochlore iridates

We have explored the critical metal-insulator phenomena for pyrochlore-type $R_2$Ir$_2$O$_7$, in which electron correlation strength and magnetic configuration are systematically controlled by varying the average rare-earth ionic radius ($R$=Nd$_{1-x}$Pr$_{x}$ and Sm$_{y}$Nd$_{1-y}$), external pressure, and magnetic field. Metal-insulator transitions in bulk are caused by increasing $x$ or tuning external pressure, indicating that the effective electron correlation is responsible for the transition. The metallic state intervenes between the paramagnetic insulating and antiferromagnetically ordered insulating phases for \SNIO ($y$=0.7-0.9), reminiscent of the first-order Mott transition. Furthermore, the metal-to-insulator crossover is observed (around $y$=0.7) for the charge transport on magnetic domain walls in the insulating bulk. An application of magnetic field also drives metal-insulator transitions for \NPIO in which a variety of exotic topological quantum states are potentially realized.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Field-direction control of the type of charge carriers in nonsymmorphic IrO2

In the quest for switching of the charge carrier type in conductive materials, we focus on nonsymmorphic crystals, which are expected to have highly anisotropic folded Fermi surfaces due to the symmetry requirements. Following simple tight-binding model simulation, we prepare nonsymmorphic IrO2 single-crystalline films with various growth orientations by molecular beam epitaxy, and systematically quantify their Hall effect for the corresponding field directions. The results clearly demonstrate that the dominant carrier type can be intrinsically controlled by the magnetic field direction, as also evidenced by first-principles calculations revealing nontrivial momentum dependence of the group velocity and mass tensor on the folded Fermi surfaces and its anisotropic nature for the field direction.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Magnetic field-induced insulator-semimetal transition in a pyrochlore Nd2Ir2O7

We have investigated magneto-transport properties in a single crystal of pyrochore-type Nd2Ir2O7. The metallic conduction is observed on the antiferromagnetic domain walls of the all-in all-out type Ir-5d moment ordered insulating bulk state, that can be finely controlled by external magnetic field along [111]. On the other hand, an applied field along [001] induces the bulk phase transition from insulator to semimetal as a consequence of the field-induced modification of Nd-4f and Ir-5d moment configurations. A theoretical calculation consistently describing the experimentally observed features suggests a variety of exotic topological states as functions of electron correlation and Ir-5d moment orders which can be finely tuned by choice of rare-earth ion and by magnetic field, respectively.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Formation of In-plane Skyrmions in Epitaxial MnSi Thin Films as Revealed by Planar Hall Effect

We investigate skyrmion formation in both a single crystalline bulk and epitaxial thin films of MnSi by measurements of planar Hall effect. A prominent stepwise field profile of planar Hall effect is observed in the well-established skyrmion phase region in the bulk sample, which is assigned to anisotropic magnetoresistance effect with respect to the magnetic modulation direction. We also detect the characteristic planar Hall anomalies in the thin films under the in-plane magnetic field at low temperatures, which indicates the formation of skyrmion strings lying in the film plane. Uniaxial magnetic anisotropy plays an important role in stabilizing the in-plane skyrmions in the MnSi thin film.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Nonreciprocal spin wave propagation in chiral-lattice ferromagnets

Spin current, i.e. the flow of spin angular momentum or magnetic moment, has recently attracted much attention as the promising alternative for charge current with better energy efficiency. Genuine spin current is generally carried by the spin wave (propagating spin precession) in insulating ferromagnets, and should hold the chiral symmetry when it propagates along the spin direction. Here, we experimentally demonstrate that such a spin wave spin current (SWSC) shows nonreciprocal propagation characters in a chiral-lattice ferromagnet. This phenomenon originates from the interference of chirality between the SWSC and crystal-lattice, which is mediated by the relativistic spin-orbit interaction. The present finding enables the design of perfect spin current diode, and highlights the importance of the chiral aspect in SWSC.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Thermally Driven Ratchet Motion of Skyrmion Microcrystal and Topological Magnon Hall Effect

Spontaneously emergent chirality is an issue of fundamental importance across the natural sciences. It has been argued that a unidirectional (chiral) rotation of a mechanical ratchet is forbidden in thermal equilibrium, but becomes possible in systems out of equilibrium. Here we report our finding that a topologically nontrivial spin texture known as a skyrmion - a particle-like object in which spins point in all directions to wrap a sphere - constitutes such a ratchet. By means of Lorentz transmission electron microscopy we show that micron-sized crystals of skyrmions in thin films of Cu2OSeO3 and MnSi display a unidirectional rotation motion. Our numerical simulations based on a stochastic Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation suggest that this rotation is driven solely by thermal fluctuations in the presence of a temperature gradient, whereas in thermal equilibrium it is forbidden by the Bohr-van Leeuwen theorem. We show that the rotational flow of magnons driven by the effective magnetic field of skyrmions gives rise to the skyrmion rotation, therefore suggesting that magnons can be used to control the motion of these spin textures.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

A new class of chiral materials hosting magnetic skyrmions beyond room temperature

Skyrmions, topologically protected vortex-like nanometric spin textures in magnets, have been attracting increasing attention for emergent electromagnetic responses and possible technological applications for spintronics. In particular, metallic magnets with chiral and cubic/tetragonal crystal structure may have high potential to host skyrmions that can be driven by low electrical current excitation. However, experimental observations of skyrmions have so far been limited to below room temperature for the metallic chiral magnets, specifically for the MnSi-type B20 compounds. Toward technological applications, it is crucial to transcend this limitation. Here we demonstrate the formation of skyrmions with unique spin helicity both at and above room temperature in a family of cubic chiral magnets: beta-Mn-type Co-Zn-Mn alloys with a different chiral space group from that of B20 compounds. Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (LTEM), magnetization, and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements unambiguously reveal the formation of a skyrmion crystal under the application of magnetic field (H<~1 kOe) in both thin- plate (thickness<150 nm) and bulk forms.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Modification of electronic structure and thermoelectric properties of hole-doped tungsten dichalcogenides

We present a study on the modification of the electronic structure and hole-doping effect for the layered dichalcogenide WSe_2 with a multi-valley band structure, where Ta is doped on the W site along with a partial substitution of Te for its lighter counterpart Se. By means of band-structure calculations and specific-heat measurements, the introduction of Te is theoretically and experimentally found to change the electronic states in WSe_2. While in WSe_2 the valence-band maximum is located at the Gamma point, the introduction of Te raises the bands at the K point with respect to the Gamma point. In addition, thermal-transport measurements reveal a smaller thermal conductivity at room temperature of W_1-xTa_xSe_1.6Te_0.4 than reported for W_1-xTa_xSe_2. However, when approaching 900 K, the thermal conductivities of both systems converge while the resistivity in W_1-xTa_xSe_1.6Te_0.4 is larger than in W_1-xTa_xSe_2, leading to comparable but slightly smaller values of the figure of merit in W_1-xTa_xSe_1.6Te_0.4.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Memory functions of magnetic skyrmions

Magnetic skyrmion, a swirling spin texture, in chiral magnets is characterized by (i) nano-scale size ($\sim$1nm -- 100nm), (ii) topological stability, and (iii) gyro-dynamics. These features are shown to be advantageous for (a) high-density data-storage, (b) nonvolatile memory, and (c) ultra-low current and energy cost manipulation, respectively. By the numerical simulations of Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation, the elementary functions of skyrmions are demonstrated aiming at the design principles of skyrmionic memory devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Phase-change memory function of correlated electrons in organic conductors

Phase-change memory (PCM), a promising candidate for next-generation non-volatile memories, exploits quenched glassy and thermodynamically stable crystalline states as reversibly switchable state variables. We demonstrate PCM functions emerging from a charge-configuration degree of freedom in strongly correlated electron systems. Non-volatile reversible switching between a high-resistivity charge-crystalline (or charge-ordered) state and a low-resistivity quenched state, charge glass, is achieved experimentally via heat pulses supplied by optical or electrical means in organic conductors $θ$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$$X$. Switching that is one order of magnitude faster is observed in another isostructural material that requires faster cooling to kinetically avoid charge crystallization, indicating that the material's critical cooling rate can be useful guidelines for pursuing a faster correlated-electron PCM function.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Discretized Topological Hall Effect Emerging from Skyrmions in Constricted Geometry

We investigate the skyrmion formation process in nano-structured FeGe Hall-bar devices by measurements of topological Hall effect, which extracts the winding number of a spin texture as an emergent magnetic field. Step-wise profiles of topological Hall resistivity are observed in the course of varying the applied magnetic field, which arise from instantaneous changes in the magnetic nano-structure such as creation, annihilation, and jittering motion of skyrmions. The discrete changes in topological Hall resistivity demonstrate the quantized nature of emergent magnetic flux inherent in each skyrmion, which had been indistinguishable in many-skyrmion systems on a macroscopic scale.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Observation of Devil's Staircase in the Novel Spin Valve System SrCo$_6$O$_{11}$

Using resonant soft x-ray scattering as a function of both temperature and magnetic field, we reveal a large number of almost degenerate magnetic orders in SrCo6O11. The Ising-like spins in this frustrated material in fact exhibit a so-called magnetic devil's staircase. It is demonstrated how a magnetic field induces transitions between different microscopic spin configurations, which is responsible for the magnetoresistance of SrCo6O11. This material therefore constitutes a unique combination of a magnetic devil's staircase and spin valve effects, yielding a novel type of magnetoresistance system.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Temperature and Field Dependence of Magnetic Domains in La$_{1.2}$Sr$_{1.8}$Mn$_2$O$_7$

Colossal magnetoresistance and field-induced ferromagnetism are well documented in manganite compounds. Since domain wall resistance contributes to magnetoresistance, data on the temperature and magnetic field dependence of the ferromagnetic domain structure are required for a full understanding of the magnetoresistive effect. Here we show, using cryogenic Magnetic Force Microscopy, domain structures for the layered manganite La$_{1.2}$Sr$_{1.8}$Mn$_2$O$_7$ as a function of temperature and magnetic field. Domain walls are suppressed close to the Curie temperature T$_C$, and appear either via the application of a c-axis magnetic field, or by decreasing the temperature further. At temperatures well below T$_C$, new domain walls, stable at zero field, can be formed by the application of a c-axis field. Magnetic structures are seen also at temperatures above T$_C$: these features are attributed to inclusions of additional Ruddleston-Popper manganite phases. Low-temperature domain walls are nucleated by these ferromagnetic inclusions.

cond-mat.str-el↗