Ubiquitous Order-Disorder Transition in the Mn Antisite Sublattice of the (MnBi2Te4)(Bi2Te3)n Magnetic Topological Insulators

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Manaswini Sahoo - , Clusters of Excellence ct.qmat: Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter, Chair of Experimental Solid State Physics, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, University of Parma (Author)
  • Ifeanyi John Onuorah - , University of Parma (Author)
  • Laura Christina Folkers - , Clusters of Excellence ct.qmat: Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter (Author)
  • Ekaterina Kochetkova - , Chair of Inorganic Chemistry II, University of Amsterdam (Author)
  • Evgueni V. Chulkov - , Donostia International Physics Center, University of the Basque Country, Materials Physics Center CFM/MPC (CSIC-UPV/EHU), Saint-Petersburg State University (Author)
  • Mikhail M. Otrokov - , University of Zaragoza (Author)
  • Ziya S. Aliev - , Baku State University, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (Author)
  • Imamaddin R. Amiraslanov - , Baku State University, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (Author)
  • Anja U.B. Wolter - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Bernd Büchner - , Clusters of Excellence ct.qmat: Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter, Chair of Experimental Solid State Physics, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Laura Teresa Corredor - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Chennan Wang - , Paul Scherrer Institute (Author)
  • Zaher Salman - , Paul Scherrer Institute (Author)
  • Anna Isaeva - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, University of Amsterdam, Dortmund University of Technology, Research Center Future Energy Materials and Systems (RC FEMS) (Author)
  • Roberto De Renzi - , University of Parma (Author)
  • Giuseppe Allodi - , University of Parma (Author)

Abstract

Magnetic topological insulators (TIs) herald a wealth of applications in spin-based technologies, relying on the novel quantum phenomena provided by their topological properties. Particularly promising is the (MnBi2Te4)(Bi2Te3)n layered family of established intrinsic magnetic TIs that can flexibly realize various magnetic orders and topological states. High tunability of this material platform is enabled by manganese–pnictogen intermixing, whose amounts and distribution patterns are controlled by synthetic conditions. Here, nuclear magnetic resonance and muon spin spectroscopy, sensitive local probe techniques, are employed to scrutinize the impact of the intermixing on the magnetic properties of (MnBi2Te4)(Bi2Te3)n and MnSb2Te4. The measurements not only confirm the opposite alignment between the Mn magnetic moments on native sites and antisites in the ground state of MnSb2Te4, but for the first time directly show the same alignment in (MnBi2Te4)(Bi2Te3)n with n = 0, 1 and 2. Moreover, for all compounds, the static magnetic moment of the Mn antisite sublattice is found to disappear well below the intrinsic magnetic transition temperature, leaving a homogeneous magnetic structure undisturbed by the intermixing. The findings provide a microscopic understanding of the crucial role played by Mn–Bi intermixing in (MnBi2Te4)(Bi2Te3)n and offer pathways to optimizing the magnetic gap in its surface states.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number2402753
JournalAdvanced science
Volume11
Issue number34
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 38973332