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Spectral and Angle-Resolved Magneto-Optical Characterization of Photonic Nanostructures
Published on: November 21, 2019
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Linear Magnetoelectric Phase in Ultrathin MnPS_{3} Probed by Optical Second Harmonic Generation.
Hao Chu1,2, Chang Jae Roh3, Joshua O Island4
1Department of Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|February 1, 2020
Summary
The Néel order in manganese thiophosphate (MnPS_{3}) remains stable in ultrathin films, down to 5.3 nm. However, substrate-induced strain causes mirror symmetry breaking in these thin films, an effect not seen in bulk materials.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Magnetism
Background:
- Transition metal thiophosphates (MPS_{3}) are van der Waals antiferromagnets.
- Manganese thiophosphate (MnPS_{3}) exhibits a rare linear magnetoelectric phase due to broken symmetries.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the stability of MnPS_{3}'s magnetic structure in the ultrathin limit.
- Determine if the linear magnetoelectric phase persists in exfoliated MnPS_{3}.
Main Methods:
- Optical second harmonic generation rotational anisotropy measurements.
- Exfoliation of MnPS_{3} down to the ultrathin limit (5.3 nm).
Main Results:
- Long-range linear magnetoelectric Néel order is confirmed in MnPS_{3} down to 5.3 nm thickness.
- An unusual mirror symmetry breaking, absent in bulk, emerges in ultrathin MnPS_{3} on SiO_{2} substrates.
- Substrate-induced strain is identified as the likely cause of the observed symmetry breaking.
Conclusions:
- The unique magnetic properties of MnPS_{3}, including its linear magnetoelectric phase, are robust down to the ultrathin limit.
- Substrate interactions significantly influence the symmetry of ultrathin van der Waals materials.
- Further research into strain engineering of 2D magnetic materials is warranted.
