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Unconventional insulator-to-metal phase transition in Mn3Si2Te6

Author

Listed:
  • Yanhong Gu

    (University of Tennessee)

  • Kevin A. Smith

    (University of Tennessee)

  • Amartyajyoti Saha

    (University of Minnesota
    University of Minnesota)

  • Chandan De

    (Pohang University of Science and Technology
    Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Choong-jae Won

    (Pohang University of Science and Technology)

  • Yang Zhang

    (University of Tennessee)

  • Ling-Fang Lin

    (University of Tennessee)

  • Sang-Wook Cheong

    (Pohang University of Science and Technology
    Rutgers University
    Rutgers University)

  • Kristjan Haule

    (Rutgers University)

  • Mykhaylo Ozerov

    (Florida State University)

  • Turan Birol

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Christopher Homes

    (Brookhaven National Laboratory)

  • Elbio Dagotto

    (University of Tennessee
    Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

  • Janice L. Musfeldt

    (University of Tennessee
    University of Tennessee)

Abstract

The nodal-line semiconductor Mn3Si2Te6 is generating enormous excitment due to the recent discovery of a field-driven insulator-to-metal transition and associated colossal magnetoresistance as well as evidence for a new type of quantum state involving chiral orbital currents. Strikingly, these qualities persist even in the absence of traditional Jahn-Teller distortions and double-exchange mechanisms, raising questions about exactly how and why magnetoresistance occurs along with conjecture as to the likely signatures of loop currents. Here, we measured the infrared response of Mn3Si2Te6 across the magnetic ordering and field-induced insulator-to-metal transitions in order to explore colossal magnetoresistance in the absence of Jahn-Teller and double-exchange interactions. Rather than a traditional metal with screened phonons, the field-driven insulator-to-metal transition leads to a weakly metallic state with localized carriers. Our spectral data are fit by a percolation model, providing evidence for electronic inhomogeneity and phase separation. Modeling also reveals a frequency-dependent threshold field for carriers contributing to colossal magnetoresistance which we discuss in terms of polaron formation, chiral orbital currents, and short-range spin fluctuations. These findings enhance the understanding of insulator-to-metal transitions in new settings and open the door to the design of unconventional colossal magnetoresistant materials.

Suggested Citation

  • Yanhong Gu & Kevin A. Smith & Amartyajyoti Saha & Chandan De & Choong-jae Won & Yang Zhang & Ling-Fang Lin & Sang-Wook Cheong & Kristjan Haule & Mykhaylo Ozerov & Turan Birol & Christopher Homes & Elb, 2024. "Unconventional insulator-to-metal phase transition in Mn3Si2Te6," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-6, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-52350-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52350-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yu Zhang & Yifei Ni & Hengdi Zhao & Sami Hakani & Feng Ye & Lance DeLong & Itamar Kimchi & Gang Cao, 2022. "Control of chiral orbital currents in a colossal magnetoresistance material," Nature, Nature, vol. 611(7936), pages 467-472, November.
    2. A. P. Ramirez & R. J. Cava & J. Krajewski, 1997. "Colossal magnetoresistance in Cr-based chalcogenide spinels," Nature, Nature, vol. 386(6621), pages 156-159, March.
    3. Yu Zhang & Yifei Ni & Pedro Schlottmann & Rahul Nandkishore & Lance E. DeLong & Gang Cao, 2024. "Current-sensitive Hall effect in a chiral-orbital-current state," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-7, December.
    4. Junho Seo & Chandan De & Hyunsoo Ha & Ji Eun Lee & Sungyu Park & Joonbum Park & Yurii Skourski & Eun Sang Choi & Bongjae Kim & Gil Young Cho & Han Woong Yeom & Sang-Wook Cheong & Jae Hoon Kim & Bohm-J, 2021. "Colossal angular magnetoresistance in ferrimagnetic nodal-line semiconductors," Nature, Nature, vol. 599(7886), pages 576-581, November.
    5. Yejun Feng & Yishu Wang & D. M. Silevitch & S. E. Cooper & D. Mandrus & Patrick A. Lee & T. F. Rosenbaum, 2021. "A continuous metal-insulator transition driven by spin correlations," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-7, December.
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