Rare-earth stannides with complex magnetism and giant unconventional anomalous Hall effect

Non-collinear spin textures are often proposed as information carriers for future data storage devices.¹ Particularly interesting are materials where the magnetic structure elicits a strong response in electrical transport, allowing for simple interfacing with the data. Electrical Hall effect of magnetic materials can display anomalous behavior,² and serve as one such signature. Prominently, strong and sharp Hall anomalies are hallmarks of magnetic skyrmions,^3,4 commonly invoked in prospective computer memories.

Here, we will present a family of rare-earth tin intermetallic compounds, which host a complex array of magnetic phases at cryogenic temperatures, including phases with non-coplanar spin arrangements. The materials also feature high carrier mobilities, and are calculated to be topological semimetals. We will demonstrate that several of the magnetic phases display an extremely strong and sharply localized Hall response. We will then discuss the potential origins of this Hall anomaly, and propose chemical design approaches that may allow future discovery of similar materials.

References:

1. A. Fert, V. Cros, and J. Sampaio, “Skyrmions on the track”, Nature Nanotechnology 8, 152–156 (2013).

2. N. Nagaosa, J. Sinova, S. Onoda, A. H. MacDonald, and N. P. Ong, “Anomalous Hall effect”, Reviews of Modern Physics 82, 1539–1592 (2010).

3. M. Lee, W. Kang, Y. Onose, Y. Tokura, and N. P. Ong, “Unusual Hall Effect Anomaly in MnSi under Pressure”, Physical Review Letters 102, 186601 (2009).

4. A. Neubauer, C. Pfleiderer, B. Binz, A. Rosch, R. Ritz, P. G. Niklowitz, and P. Böni, “Topological Hall Effect in the A Phase of MnSi”, Physical Review Letters 102, 186602 (2009).