Field-induced condensation of π to 2π soliton lattices in chiral magnets

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Contributors

Abstract

Chiral soliton lattices (CSLs) emerge from the competition between Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction, anisotropy, and magnetic fields. While well established in monoaxial helimagnets, their role in materials with anisotropic, direction-dependent chirality remains poorly understood. Here, we report the direct observation of a crossover from π to 2π soliton lattices in the non-centrosymmetric Heusler compound Mn1.4PtSn. Combining Lorentz transmission electron microscopy, resonant elastic X-ray scattering, and micromagnetic simulations, we identify a π-CSL as the magnetic ground state—rather than the expected spiral phase—which evolves into a classical 2π-CSL under increasing out-of-plane fields. This transition is governed by an interplay between uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy and magnetostatic interactions, qualitatively captured by a double sine-Gordon model. Our framework extends to materials with D2d, S4, Cnv, or Cn symmetries in the thin-film limit, providing a unifying route to engineer magnetic phase diagrams in chiral systems with implications for soliton-based spintronics and topological transport.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number264
JournalCommunications Physics
Volume9
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2026
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0002-4859-4325/work/224209257
ORCID /0000-0002-2438-0672/work/224209805

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