Epitaxial Stabilization of a Pyrochlore Interface between Weyl Semimetal and Spin Ice

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Quantum Materials

Background:

• Pyrochlore materials exhibit complex magnetic and topological phases due to electron correlations, band topology, and geometric frustration.
• Interfacial phenomena in pyrochlores are promising for novel physics but difficult to realize due to synthesis challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a robust synthesis method for creating epitaxial pyrochlore interfaces.
• To enable the study of interactions between spin ice magnetic monopoles and Weyl fermions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an ultrahigh supersaturation deposition regime.
• Employed directional infrared-laser-driven thermal gradients.
• Achieved atomically sharp, chemically ideal pyrochlore interfaces.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized the first epitaxial pyrochlore interface between Dy2Ti2O7 (spin ice) and Eu2Ir2O7 (Weyl semimetal).
• The interface exhibits near-perfect ordering and chemical idealness.
• The novel interface facilitates the study of emergent phenomena.

Conclusions:

• A robust synthesis method for complex pyrochlore heterostructures has been established.
• The developed interface provides a platform for investigating the interplay of magnetism and topology.
• This work paves the way for designing diverse pyrochlore-based quantum devices.