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A New Magnetic Topological Quantum Material Candidate by Design: EuSn2P2

ORAL

Abstract

Magnetism, when combined with an unconventional electronic band structure, can give rise to forefront electronic properties such as the quantum anomalous Hall effect, axion electrodynamics and Majorana fermions. Here we report the characterization of high-quality crystals of EuSn2P2, a new quantum material specifically designed to engender unconventional electronic states plus magnetism. EuSn2P2 has a layered, Bi2Te3-type structure. Ferromagnetic interactions dominate the Curie-Weiss susceptibility, but a transition to antiferromagnetic ordering occurs near 30 K. Neutron diffraction reveals that this is due to two-dimensional ferromagnetic spin alignment within individual Eu layers and antiferromagnetic alignment between layers - this magnetic state surrounds the Sn-P layers at low temperatures. The bulk electrical resistivity is sensitive to the magnetism. Electronic structure calculations reveal that EuSn2P2 might be a strong topological insulator, which can be a new magnetic topological quantum material (MTQM) candidate. The calculations show that surface states should be present, and they are indeed observed by ARPES measurements.

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Presenters

  • Xin Gui

    Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge

Authors

  • Xin Gui

    Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge

  • Ivo Pletikosic

    Princeton University

  • Huibo Cao

    Oak Ridge National Lab, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA, Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA, Oak Ridge Natl Lab

  • Hung-Ju Tien

    National Cheng Kung University

  • Xitong Xu

    Peking Univ, School of Physics, Peking University, Peking University

  • Ruidan Zhong

    Princeton University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Lab

  • Guangqiang Wang

    Peking University

  • Tay-Rong Chang

    National Cheng Kung University, Physics, National Cheng Kung University, Department of Physics, National Cheng Kung University, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan

  • Shuang Jia

    Peking University, International Center for Quantum Materials, Peking Univ, School of Physics, Peking University, Peking University, Department of physics, ICQM, Peking University

  • Tonica Valla

    Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Condensed Matter Physics and Material Science, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States, Brookhaven National Lab

  • Weiwei Xie

    Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Louisiana State University, Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge

  • Robert J. Cava

    Princeton University, Chemistry, Princeton University, Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Chemistry, Pinceton University, Princeton Univ