2025-06-10 中国科学院（CAS）
Different antiferromagnetic stacking. (Image by SHAO Dingfu)
＜関連情報＞
- https://english.cas.cn/newsroom/research_news/phys/202506/t20250611_1045406.shtml
- https://www.cell.com/newton/fulltext/S2950-6360(25)00060-X
クロスチェーン反強磁性体におけるX型スタッキング X-type stacking in cross-chain antiferromagnets
Shui-Sen Zhang ∙ Zi-An Wang ∙ Bo Li ∙ … ∙ Evgeny Y. Tsymbal ∙ Ding-Fu Shao
Newton Published:April 11, 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.newton.2025.100068
Accessible overview
Physical phenomena in condensed matter typically arise from the collective effects of all atoms in a solid, while selectively addressing a single atomic sublattice is elusive. A prime example is antiferromagnetic materials, which consist of two or more ferromagnetically ordered sublattices that neutralize each other, rendering the antiferromagnets inert to external stimuli. If one of these sublattices could be selectively addressed, it would open exciting opportunities for exploring new physics and spintronic applications. This work illustrates such a remarkable property by introducing X-type antiferromagnetic stacking, an uncharted class of magnetic stacking in which two magnetic sublattices form a pattern of intersecting atomic chains. The associated cross-chain antiferromagnets with X-type stacking, dubbed X-type antiferromagnets, enable one magnetic sublattice to conduct while the other acts as an insulator, effectively combining both properties within the same material. Consequently, passing an electric current through X-type antiferromagnets exerts spin torque solely on a single magnetic sublattice, enabling deterministic switching of the antiferromagnetic domains. This discovery paves the way for exploring novel fundamental physics related to sublattice selectivity and opens an avenue for realizing advanced spintronic functionalities with enhanced performance.
Highlights
•X-type stacking discovered in cross-chain antiferromagnets
•X-type antiferromagnets exhibit sublattice-selective spin-polarized transport
•Spin torques on a single sublattice for deterministic Néel vector switching
•β-Fe2PO5 is a representative high-temperature X-type antiferromagnet
Summary
Physical phenomena in condensed matter normally arise from the collective effect of all atoms, while selectively addressing a lone atomic sublattice by external stimulus is elusive. The latter functionality may, however, benefit various applications, as the responses may differ when the external stimulus affects only a specific sublattice rather than the entire solid. Here, we introduce cross-chain antiferromagnets where the stacking of two magnetic sublattices forms a pattern of intersecting atomic chains, allowing for sublattice selectivity. We dub this antiferromagnetic (AFM) stacking X-type and demonstrate that it exhibits unique spin-dependent transport properties not present in conventional magnets. Through high-throughput analyses and computations, we unveil three prototypes of X-type AFM stacking and identify 15 X-type AFM candidates. Using β-Fe2PO5 as a representative X-type antiferromagnet, we predict sublattice-selective spin-polarized transport driven by the X-type stacking where one magnetic sublattice conducts, while the other does not. Consequently, a spin torque can be exerted solely on a single sublattice, leading to unconventional ultrafast dynamics of the Néel vector capable of deterministic switching of the AFM domains. Our work uncovers a previously overlooked type of magnetic moment stacking and reveals sublattice-selective physical properties promising for high-performance spintronic applications.
