Magnetic Order and Interactions in Ferrimagnetic Mn<sub>3</sub>Si<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>6</sub>
ORAL
Abstract
Mn3Si2Te6 is a three-dimensional material with a trigonal unit cell that is structurally-related to the van der Waals bonded ferromagnetic semiconductors CrSiTe3 and CrGeTe3. In Mn3Si2Te6, the filling of an interlayer octahedral position leads to three frustrated magnetic exchanges that result in a ferrimagnetic spin configuration. The magnetism has been investigated using thermodynamic and transport measurements on single crystals, first principles calculations, and neutron diffraction and diffuse scattering. A net moment exists due to an imbalance in the multiplicity of two different Mn sites, and an unexpectedly large anisotropy field of ≈9T is present at 2K. The 3rd nearest neighbor exchange is stronger than the 2nd nearest neighbor exchange. Frustration results in a relative suppression of the Curie temperature with TC=78K compared to a Weiss temperature of -277K. As a result, short range correlations exist well-above TC, as demonstrated via diffuse neutron scattering. This study has revealed complex magnetic behavior in Mn3Si2Te6 and highlights the variety of states that may be accessible in this family of materials. This research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Sciences and Engineering Division.
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Presenters
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Andrew May
- Oak Ridge National Lab
- Materials Science and Technology, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory