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Indirect chiral magnetic exchange through Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya-enhanced RKKY interactions in manganese oxide chains on Ir(100)

Author

Listed:
  • Martin Schmitt

    (Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland)

  • Paolo Moras

    (Istituto di Struttura della Materia-CNR (ISM-CNR))

  • Gustav Bihlmayer

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich & JARA)

  • Ryan Cotsakis

    (Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland
    University of British Columbia)

  • Matthias Vogt

    (Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland)

  • Jeannette Kemmer

    (Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland
    California Institute of Technology)

  • Abderrezak Belabbes

    (King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST))

  • Polina M. Sheverdyaeva

    (Istituto di Struttura della Materia-CNR (ISM-CNR))

  • Asish K. Kundu

    (International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP))

  • Carlo Carbone

    (Istituto di Struttura della Materia-CNR (ISM-CNR))

  • Stefan Blügel

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich & JARA)

  • Matthias Bode

    (Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland
    Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland)

Abstract

Localized electron spins can couple magnetically via the Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida interaction even if their wave functions lack direct overlap. Theory predicts that spin–orbit scattering leads to a Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya type enhancement of this indirect exchange interaction, giving rise to chiral exchange terms. Here we present a combined spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy, angle-resolved photoemission, and density functional theory study of MnO2 chains on Ir(100). Whereas we find antiferromagnetic Mn–Mn coupling along the chain, the inter-chain coupling across the non-magnetic Ir substrate turns out to be chiral with a 120° rotation between adjacent MnO2 chains. Calculations reveal that the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction results in spin spirals with a periodicity in agreement with experiment. Our findings confirm the existence of indirect chiral magnetic exchange, potentially giving rise to exotic phenomena, such as chiral spin-liquid states in spin ice systems or the emergence of new quasiparticles.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Schmitt & Paolo Moras & Gustav Bihlmayer & Ryan Cotsakis & Matthias Vogt & Jeannette Kemmer & Abderrezak Belabbes & Polina M. Sheverdyaeva & Asish K. Kundu & Carlo Carbone & Stefan Blügel & Mat, 2019. "Indirect chiral magnetic exchange through Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya-enhanced RKKY interactions in manganese oxide chains on Ir(100)," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-10515-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10515-3
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