Quantum order in the chiral magnet MnSi

Abstract

Systems lacking inversion symmetry, such as selected three-dimensional compounds, multilayers and surfaces support Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya (DM) spin-orbit interactions. In recent years DM interactions have attracted great interest, because they may stabilize magnetic structures with a unique chirality and non-trivial topology. The inherent coupling between the various properties provided by DM interactions is potentially relevant for a variety of applications including, for instance, multiferroic and spintronic devices. The, perhaps, most extensively studied material in which DM interactions are important is the cubic B20 compound MnSi. We review the magnetic field and pressure dependence of the magnetic properties of MnSi. At ambient pressure this material displays helical order. Under hydrostatic pressure a non-Fermi liquid state emerges, where a partial magnetic order, reminiscent of liquid crystals, is observed in a small pocket. Recent experiments strongly suggest that the non-Fermi liquid state is not due to quantum criticality. Instead it may be the signature of spin textures and spin excitations with a non-trivial topology.