A New Magnetic Topological Quantum Material Candidate by Design

Xin Gui, Ivo Pletikosic, Huibo Cao, Hung Ju Tien, Xitong Xu, Ruidan Zhong, Guangqiang Wang, Tay Rong Chang, Shuang Jia, Tonica Valla, Weiwei Xie, Robert J. Cava

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

Magnetism, when combined with an unconventional electronic band structure, can give rise to forefront electronic properties such as the quantum anomalous Hall effect, axion electrodynamics, and Majorana fermions. Here we report the characterization of high-quality crystals of EuSn2P2, a new quantum material specifically designed to engender unconventional electronic states plus magnetism. EuSn2P2 has a layered, Bi2Te3-type structure. Ferromagnetic interactions dominate the Curie-Weiss susceptibility, but a transition to antiferromagnetic ordering occurs near 30 K. Neutron diffraction reveals that this is due to two-dimensional ferromagnetic spin alignment within individual Eu layers and antiferromagnetic alignment between layers - this magnetic state surrounds the Sn-P layers at low temperatures. The bulk electrical resistivity is sensitive to the magnetism. Electronic structure calculations reveal that EuSn2P2 might be a strong topological insulator, which can be a new magnetic topological quantum material (MTQM) candidate. The calculations show that surface states should be present, and they are indeed observed by angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)900-910
Number of pages11
JournalACS Central Science
Volume5
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 22 2019

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Science Foundation1832967, 0402010

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