Spin-orbit control of antiferromagnetic domains without a Zeeman coupling

Abstract Encoding information in antiferromagnetic (AFM) domains is a promising solution for the ever growing demand in magnetic storage capacity. The absence of a macroscopic magnetization avoids crosstalk between different domain states, enabling ultrahigh density spintronics1 while being detrimental to the domain detection and manipulation. Disentangling these merits and disadvantages seemed so far unattainable. We report evidence for a new AFM domain selection mechanism based on non-Zeeman susceptibility anisotropy induced by the relative orientation of external magnetic fields to the k-domains. Consequently, the charge transport response is controlled by the rotation of the magnetic field and a pronounced anisotropic magnetoresistance is found in the AFM phase of bulk materials Nd1−x Ce x CoIn5. Our results and the domain switching theory2 indicate that this constitutes a new effect which might be universal across multiband materials. It provides a novel mechanism to control and detect AFM domains opening new perspectives for AFM sprintronics.