Indirect chiral magnetic exchange through Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya-enhanced RKKY interactions in manganese oxide chains on Ir(100)

Martin Schmitt, Paolo Moras (), Gustav Bihlmayer, Ryan Cotsakis, Matthias Vogt, Jeannette Kemmer, Abderrezak Belabbes, Polina M. Sheverdyaeva, Asish K. Kundu, Carlo Carbone, Stefan Blügel and Matthias Bode
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Martin Schmitt: Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland
Paolo Moras: Istituto di Struttura della Materia-CNR (ISM-CNR)
Gustav Bihlmayer: Forschungszentrum Jülich & JARA
Ryan Cotsakis: Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland
Matthias Vogt: Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland
Jeannette Kemmer: Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland
Abderrezak Belabbes: King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)
Polina M. Sheverdyaeva: Istituto di Struttura della Materia-CNR (ISM-CNR)
Asish K. Kundu: International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)
Carlo Carbone: Istituto di Struttura della Materia-CNR (ISM-CNR)
Stefan Blügel: Forschungszentrum Jülich & JARA
Matthias Bode: Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract Localized electron spins can couple magnetically via the Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida interaction even if their wave functions lack direct overlap. Theory predicts that spin–orbit scattering leads to a Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya type enhancement of this indirect exchange interaction, giving rise to chiral exchange terms. Here we present a combined spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy, angle-resolved photoemission, and density functional theory study of MnO2 chains on Ir(100). Whereas we find antiferromagnetic Mn–Mn coupling along the chain, the inter-chain coupling across the non-magnetic Ir substrate turns out to be chiral with a 120° rotation between adjacent MnO2 chains. Calculations reveal that the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction results in spin spirals with a periodicity in agreement with experiment. Our findings confirm the existence of indirect chiral magnetic exchange, potentially giving rise to exotic phenomena, such as chiral spin-liquid states in spin ice systems or the emergence of new quasiparticles.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10515-3

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