Search

Magnetic kagome metals, in which topologically non-trivial band structures and electronic correlation are intertwined, have recently emerged as an exciting platform to explore exotic correlated topological phases, that are usually not found in weakly interacting materials described within the semi-classical picture of electrons. Here, via a comprehensive single-crystal neutron diffraction and first-principles density functional theory study of the archetypical topological kagome metal Mn$_3$Sn, which is also a magnetic Weyl fermion material and a promising chiral magnet for antiferromagnetic spintronics, we report the realisation of an emergent spin-density wave (SDW) order, a hallmark correlated many-body phenomenon, that is engineered by the Fermi surface nesting of topological flat bands. We further reveal that the phase transition, from the well-known high-temperature coplanar and non-collinear k = 0 inverse triangular antiferromagnetic order to a double-$k$ non-coplanar modulated incommensurate magnetic structure below $T_1$ = 280 K, is primarily driven by the SDW instability. The double-$k$ nature of this complex low-temperature magnetic order, which can be regarded as an intriguing superposition of a longitudinal SDW with a modulation wavevector k$_L$ and a transverse incommensurate helical magnetic order with a modulation wavevector k$_T$, is unambiguously confirmed by our observation of the inter-modulation high-order harmonics of the type of 2k$_L$+k$_T$. This discovery not only solves a long-standing puzzle concerning the nature of the phase transition at $T_1$, but also provides an extraordinary example on the intrinsic engineering of correlated many-body phenomena in topological matter. The identified multi-$k$ magnetic state can be further exploited for the engineering of the new modes of magnetization and chirality switching in antiferromagnetic spintronics.

Me$_{3+\delta}$Ge, being a Weyl semimetal, shows a large anomalous Hall effect (AHE), which decreases slowly with an increase in $\delta$ from 0.1 to 0.4. However, AHE in this compound remains significantly large in the whole range of $\delta$ because of the robust nature of the topology of bands. To explore the possibility of tuning the anomalous transport effects in Weyl semimetals, we have studied the single-crystal hexagonal-(Mn$_{0.78}$Fe$_{0.22}$)$_3$Ge compound. Magnetization of this compound shows two magnetic transitions at 242 K ($T_{\text{N1}}$) and 120 K ($T_{\text{N2}}$). We observed that the AHE persists between $T_{\text{N2}}$ - $T_{\text{N1}}$ and vanishes below $T_{\text{N2}}$. Further, we performed single-crystal neutron diffraction experiments (using spherical neutron polarimetry and unpolarized neutron diffraction) to determine the magnetic structures of (Mn$_{0.78}$Fe$_{0.22}$)$_3$Ge at different temperatures. Our neutron diffraction results show that the sample possesses a collinear antiferromagnetic structure below $T_{\text{N2}}$. However, the magnetic structure of the sample remains noncollinear antiferromagnetic, the same as Mn$_3$Ge, between $T_{\text{N1}}$ to $T_{\text{N2}}$. The presence of AHE, and noncollinear magnetic structure in (Mn$_{0.78}$Fe$_{0.22}$)$_3$Ge, between $T_{\text{N1}}$ and $T_{\text{N2}}$, suggest the existence of Weyl points in this temperature regime. Below $T_{\text{N2}}$, AHE is absent, and the magnetic structure also changes to a collinear antiferromagnetic structure. These observations signify a strong link between the magnetic structure of the sample and AHE., Comment: Accepted in Physical Review B

The bosonic analogues of topological insulators have been proposed in numerous theoretical works, but their experimental realization is still very rare, especially for spin systems. Recently, two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb van der Waals (vdW) ferromagnets have emerged as a new platform for topological spin excitations. Here, via a comprehensive inelastic neutron scattering study and theoretical analysis of the spin-wave excitations, we report the realization of topological magnon insulators in CrXTe$_3$ (X=Si, Ge) compounds. The nontrivial nature and intrinsic tunability of the gap opening at the magnon band-crossing Dirac points are confirmed, while the emergence of the corresponding in-gap topological edge states is demonstrated theoretically. The realization of topological magnon insulators with intrinsic gap-tunability in this class of remarkable 2D materials will undoubtedly lead to new and fascinating technological applications in the domain of magnonics and topological spintronics., Comment: 24 pages, 15 figures, accepted by Science Advances

In this work, we investigate the evolution and settling of magnon condensation in the spin-1/2 dimer system Sr$_{3}$Cr$_{2}$O$_{8}$ using a combination of magnetostriction in pulsed fields and inelastic neutron scattering in a continuous magnetic field. The magnetic structure in the Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) phase was probed by neutron diffraction in pulsed magnetic fields up to 39~T. The magnetic structure in this phase was confirmed to be an XY-antiferromagnetic structure validated by irreducible representational analysis. The magnetic phase diagram as a function of an applied magnetic field for this system is presented. Furthermore, zero-field neutron diffraction results indicate that dimerization plays an important role in stabilizing the low-temperature crystal structure., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures

The stability of sunspots is one of the long-standing unsolved puzzles in the field of solar magnetism. We study the effects that destabilise and stabilise the flux tube of a simulated sunspot in the upper convection zone. The depth-varying effects of fluting instability, buoyancy forces, and timescales on the flux tube are analysed. The simulation was calculated with the MURaM code. The domain has a lateral extension of 98 Mm x 98 Mm and extends almost 18 Mm below the solar surface. The analysed data set of 30 hours shows a stable sunspot at the solar surface. We studied the evolution of the flux tube at horizontal layers by means of the relative change in perimeter and area with a linear stability analysis. We find a corrugation along the perimeter of the flux tube that proceeds fastest at a depth of about 8 Mm below the surface. Towards the surface and towards deeper layers, the decrease in compactness is damped. From the stability analysis, we find that above a depth of 2 Mm, the sunspot is stabilised by buoyancy forces. The spot is least stable at a depth of about 3 Mm because of fluting instability. The stability of the sunspot at the surface affects the behaviour of the field lines in deeper layers by magnetic tension. Therefore the fluting instability is damped at depths of about 3 Mm, and the decrease in compactness is strongest at a depth of about 8 Mm. The more vertical orientation of the magnetic field and the longer convective timescale slow down the corrugation process in layers deeper than 10 Mm. The formation of large intrusions of field-free plasma below the surface destabilises the sunspot, and eventually lead to the disruption and decay of the sunspot. This process is not visible at the surface, where the sunspot is stabilised by buoyancy forces. The onset of sunspot decay occurs in deeper layers, while the sunspot still appears stable in the photosphere., Comment: 12 pages, 14 figures; appendix: 3 pages, 2 figures, 1 table; accepted for publication in A&A

We present triple-axis neutron scattering studies of static and dynamic magnetic stripes in an optimally oxygen-doped cuprate superconductor, La$_{2}$CuO$_{4+y}$, which exhibits a clean superconducting transition at $T_{\rm c}=42$ K. Polarization analysis reveals that the magnetic stripe structure is equally represented along both of the tetragonal crystal axes and that the fluctuating stripes display significant weight for in-plane as well as out-of-plane spin components. Both static magnetic order as well as low-energy fluctuations are fully developed in zero applied magnetic field and the low-energy spin fluctuations at $\hbar \omega = 0.3-10$ meV intensify upon cooling. We interpret this as an indication that superconductivity and low-energy spin fluctuations co-exist microscopically in spatial regions which are separated from domains with static magnetic order., Comment: 16 pages, 6 figures

The parametric geometry of numbers has allowed to visualize the simultaneous approximation properties of a collection of real numbers through the combined graph of the related successive minima functions. Several inequalities among classical exponents of simultaneous approximation can be guessed by a study of these graphs; in particular the so called regular graph is of major importance as it provides an extremal case for some of these inequalities. The aim of this paper is to define and construct an analogue of the regular graph in the case of weighted simultaneous approximation., Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures

The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) will revolutionize our ability to measure, understand and model the basic physical processes that control the structure and dynamics of the Sun and its atmosphere. The first-light DKIST images, released publicly on 29 January 2020, only hint at the extraordinary capabilities which will accompany full commissioning of the five facility instruments. With this Critical Science Plan (CSP) we attempt to anticipate some of what those capabilities will enable, providing a snapshot of some of the scientific pursuits that the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope hopes to engage as start-of-operations nears. The work builds on the combined contributions of the DKIST Science Working Group (SWG) and CSP Community members, who generously shared their experiences, plans, knowledge and dreams. Discussion is primarily focused on those issues to which DKIST will uniquely contribute.

We have studied a nearly stoichiometric insulating Y$_{0.97(2)}$Cr$_{0.98(2)}$O$_{3.00(2)}$ single crystal by performing measurements of magnetization, heat capacity, and neutron diffraction. Albeit that the YCrO$_3$ compound behaviors like a soft ferromagnet with a coersive force of $\sim$ 0.05 T, there exist strong antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions between Cr$^{3+}$ spins due to a strongly negative paramagnetic Curie-Weiss temperature, i.e., -433.2(6) K. The coexistence of ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism may indicate a canted AFM structure. The AFM phase transition occurs at $T_\textrm{N} =$ 141.5(1) K, which increases to $T_\textrm{N}$(5T) = 144.5(1) K at 5 T. Within the accuracy of the present neuron-diffraction studies, we determine a G-type AFM structure with a propagation vector \textbf{k} = (1 1 0) and Cr$^{3+}$ spin directions along the crystallographic \emph{c} axis of the orthorhombic structure with space group \emph{Pnma} below $T_\textrm{N}$. At 12 K, the refined moment size is 2.45(6) $\mu_\textrm{B}$, $\sim$ 82\% of the theoretical saturation value 3 $\mu_\textrm{B}$. The Cr$^{3+}$ spin interactions are probably two-dimensional Ising like within the reciprocal (1 1 0) scattering plane. Below $T_\textrm{N}$, the lattice configuration (\emph{a}, \emph{b}, \emph{c}, and \emph{V}) deviates largely downward from the Gr$\ddot{\textrm{u}}$neisen law, displaying an anisotropic magnetostriction effect and a magnetoelastic effect. Especially, the sample contraction upon cooling is enhanced below the AFM transition temperature. There is evidence to suggest that the actual crystalline symmetry of YCrO$_3$ compound is probably lower than the currently assumed one. Additionally, we compared the $t_{2\textrm{g}}$ YCrO$_3$ and the $e_\textrm{g}$ La$_{7/8}$Sr$_{1/8}$MnO$_3$ single crystals for a further understanding of the reason for the possible symmetry lowering., Comment: 13 pages, 13 figures

We report here a comprehensive study of the AFM structures of the Eu and Mn magnetic sublattices as well as the interplay between Eu and Mn magnetism in this compound by using both polarized and non-polarized single-crystal neutron diffraction. Magnetic susceptibility, specific heat capacity measurements and the temperature dependence of magnetic diffractions suggest that the AFM ordering temperature of the Eu and Mn moments is at 22 and 337 K, respectively. The magnetic moments of both Eu and Mn ions are oriented along the crystallographic $c$ axis, and the respective magnetic propagation vector is $\textbf{k}_{Eu} = (0,0,1)$ and $\textbf{k}_{Mn}=(0,0,0)$. With proper neutron absorption correction, the ordered moments are refined at 3 K as 7.7(1) $\mu_B$ and 4.1(1) $\mu_B$ for the Eu and Mn ions, respectively. In addition, a spin-flop (SF) phase transition of the Eu moments in an applied magnetic field along the $c$ axis was confirmed to take place at a critical field of B$_c$ $\sim$ 5.3 T. The evolution of the Eu magnetic moment direction as a function of the applied magnetic field in the SF phase was also determined. Clear kinks in both field and temperature dependence of the magnetic reflections ($\pm1$, 0, 1) of Mn were observed at the onset of the SF phase transition and the AFM order of the Eu moments, respectively. This unambiguously indicates the existence of a strong coupling between Eu and Mn magnetism. The interplay between two magnetic sublattices could bring new possibilities to tune Dirac fermions via changing magnetic structures by applied fields in this class of magnetic topological semimetals., Comment: 15 pages, 12 figures, accepted by Physical Review Research

Frustrated quasidoublets without time-reversal symmetry can host highly unconventional magnetic structures with continuously distributed order parameters even in a single-phase crystal. Here, we report the comprehensive thermodynamic and neutron diffraction investigation on the single crystal of TmMgGaO$_4$, which entails non-Kramers Tm$^{3+}$ ions arranged on a geometrically perfect triangular lattice. The crystal electric field (CEF) randomness caused by the site-mixing disorder of the nonmagnetic Mg$^{2+}$ and Ga$^{3+}$ ions, merges two lowest-lying CEF singlets of Tm$^{3+}$ into a ground-state (GS) quasidoublet. Well below $T_c$ $\sim$ 0.7 K, a small fraction of the antiferromagnetically coupled Tm$^{3+}$ Ising quasidoublets with small inner gaps condense into two-dimensional (2D) up-up-down magnetic structures with continuously distributed order parameters, and give rise to the \emph{columnar} magnetic neutron reflections below $\mu_0H_c$ $\sim$ 2.6 T, with highly anisotropic correlation lengths, $\xi_{ab}$ $\geq$ 250$a$ in the triangular plane and $\xi_c$ $<$ $c$/12 between the planes. The remaining fraction of the Tm$^{3+}$ ions remain nonmagnetic at 0 T and become uniformly polarized by the applied longitudinal field at low temperatures. We argue that the similar model can be generally applied to other compounds of non-Kramers rare-earth ions with correlated GS quasidoublets., Comment: Accepted in Physical Review X. The present manuscript is significantly different from the earlier preprint, arXiv:1804.00696, in the analysis, results, and contains additional neutron diffraction data

Convective motions in the solar atmosphere cause spectral lines to become asymmetric and shifted in wavelength. For photospheric lines, this differential Doppler shift varies from the solar disk center to the limb. Precise and comprehensive observations of the convective blueshift and its center-to-limb variation improve our understanding of the atmospheric hydrodynamics and ensuing line formation, and provide the basis to refine 3D models of the solar atmosphere. We performed systematical spectroscopic measurements of the convective blueshift of the quiet Sun with the Laser Absolute Reference Spectrograph (LARS) at the German Vacuum Tower Telescope. The spatial scanning of the solar disk covered four radial (meridional and equatorial) axes. The high-resolution spectra of 26 photospheric to chromospheric lines in the visible range were calibrated with a laser frequency comb to absolute wavelengths at the 1m/s accuracy. Applying ephemeris and reference corrections, the bisector analysis provided line asymmetries and Doppler shifts with an uncertainty of only few m/s. To allow for a comparison with other observations, we convolved the results to lower spectral resolutions. Typically, a blueshifted "C"-shaped curve at disk center transforms into a less blueshifted "\"-shape toward the solar limb. The comparison of all lines reveals the systematic dependence of the convective blueshift on the line depth. Synthetic models yield considerable deviations from the observed center-to-limb variation. The obtained Doppler shifts of the quiet Sun can serve as an absolute reference for other observations, the relative calibration of Dopplergrams, and the necessary refinement of atmospheric models. Based on this, the development of high-precision models of stellar surface convection will advance the detection of (potentially habitable) exoplanets by radial velocity measurements.