Thermal conductivity of topological honeycomb ferromagnet CrGeTe₃

Van der Waals magnet CrGeTe₃ has been intensely studied as a layered ferromagnet with two-dimensional honeycomb planes that hold potential for use in 2D magnetic devices and heterostructures. Additionally, recent neutron scattering experiments [1] have pointed toward the possibility that this system may host topological magnons in the magnetic excitation spectrum. Here, we present a thermodynamic study of CrGeTe₃ including thermal conductivity measurements that supply evidence for an exceptionally strong spin-lattice coupling within this material. We discuss further investigation that could corroborate and provide insight into the nature of topological magnetic excitations in this system.

[1] F. Zhu, et. al., Topological Magnon Insulators in Two-Dimensional van Der Waals Ferromagnets CrSiTe3 and CrGeTe3: Toward Intrinsic Gap-Tunability, Science Advances 7: eabi7532 (2021.).