Work

Topological Magneto-optics in the Noncoplanar Antiferromagnet Co 1 / 3 NbS 2 : Imaging and Writing Chiral Magnetic Domains

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Despite its tiny net magnetization, the antiferromagnetic (AFM) van der Waals material Co_{1/3}NbS_{2} exhibits a large transverse Hall conductivity σ_{xy} even at zero applied magnetic field, which arises, as recently shown, from the topological nature of its noncoplanar "tetrahedral" AFM order. This triple-q magnetic order can be regarded as the short-length-scale limit of a magnetic skyrmion lattice and has an intrinsic spin chirality. Here, we show, using optical wavelengths spanning the ultraviolet to infrared (400-1000 nm), that magnetic circular dichroism provides an incisive optical probe of the topological AFM order in Co_{1/3}NbS_{2}. Measurements as a continuous function of photon energy are directly compared with first-principles calculations, revealing the influence of the underlying quantum geometry on optical conductivity. Leveraging the power and flexibility of optical methods, we use scanning magnetic circular dichroism microscopy to directly image chiral AFM domains and demonstrate writing of chiral AFM domains.

Source: Physical Review Letters

DOI: 10.1103/wh5t-12fn

Authors: E. Kirstein, H. Park, I. Martin, J. F. Mitchell, N. J. Ghimire, S. A. Crooker

Institutions: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, University of Illinois Chicago, University of Notre Dame

Language: English

Topic: Magnetic properties of thin films

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green