Work

Single domain spectroscopic signatures of a magnetic kagome metal

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Magnetic kagome metals host complex electronic states and real-space magnetic textures, but their small and temperature-dependent magnetic domains make experimental access difficult. Here we show that micro-focused circular-dichroic photoemission spectroscopy enables spectroscopic access to individual magnetic domains in the kagome metal DyMn 6 Sn 6 at low temperature. By tuning to element-specific electronic states, we image domain contrast associated with Dy 4 f levels and detect corresponding signatures from Mn core states. The energy dependence of the dichroic response is consistent with modeling and indicates ferrimagnetic alignment between Dy and Mn local moments. Measurements of Mn 3 d -derived valence bands, supported by first-principles calculations, reveal features related to orbital magnetization. These results establish element- and orbital-resolved spectroscopy of single magnetic domains and enable studies of magnetic textures and electronic structure in complex magnetic quantum materials.

Source: Nature Communications

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-71924-9