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Origin of multiple skyrmion phases in EuAl4
Yuki Arai1, Kosuke Nakayama2, Asuka Honma1
1Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
Skyrmion lattices in Eu(Ga1-xAlx)4 challenge the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Quantum Mechanics
Background:
- The Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interaction was thought essential for skyrmion formation.
- Skyrmion lattices (SkLs) discovered in centrosymmetric materials like Eu(Ga1-xAlx)4 challenge this view.
- Charge-density waves in Eu(Ga1-xAlx)4 break local symmetry, potentially allowing DM interaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the 3D bulk electronic structure of Eu(Ga1-xAlx)4.
- To elucidate the electronic origins of its complex magnetic orders.
- To investigate the role of DM interaction versus alternative mechanisms in magnetic phase control.
Main Methods:
- Soft-x-ray angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (XARPES).
- Analysis of 3D bulk electronic structure.
- Identification of Fermi-surface pockets and nesting vectors.
Main Results:
- Observed an x-dependent Lifshitz transition, creating a Fermi-surface pocket.
- Identified multiple nesting vectors matching SkL symmetries and periodicities.
- Demonstrated that nesting vectors explain helical magnetism, suggesting a common electronic origin for magnetic phases.
Conclusions:
- Competing nesting-induced Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) interactions drive complex magnetic phases in Eu(Ga1-xAlx)4.
- Engineering these interactions can control SkLs and topological spin textures.
- Findings challenge the exclusive role of DM interaction in skyrmion formation.
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