Spin mapping of intralayer antiferromagnetism and field-induced spin reorientation in monolayer CrTe2

TLDR

Intrinsic antiferromagnetism in van der Waals monolayer crystals expands 2D magnetic order knowledge and offers spintronic advantages, yet studies are sparse due to the absence of net magnetisation. The study investigates the magnetism of vdW monolayer CrTe₂ using spin‑polarised scanning tunnelling microscopy and first‑principles calculations. Spin‑polarised scanning tunnelling microscopy and first‑principles calculations were employed on MBE‑grown monolayer CrTe₂. The authors observed a stable antiferromagnetic order with a zigzag spin texture in monolayer CrTe₂, found noncollinear spin reorientation under magnetic fields, and highlighted the material’s intricate 2D magnetism, opening avenues for further study.

Abstract

Abstract Intrinsic antiferromagnetism in van der Waals (vdW) monolayer (ML) crystals enriches our understanding of two-dimensional (2D) magnetic orders and presents several advantages over ferromagnetism in spintronic applications. However, studies of 2D intrinsic antiferromagnetism are sparse, owing to the lack of net magnetisation. Here, by combining spin-polarised scanning tunnelling microscopy and first-principles calculations, we investigate the magnetism of vdW ML CrTe 2 , which has been successfully grown through molecular-beam epitaxy. We observe a stable antiferromagnetic (AFM) order at the atomic scale in the ML crystal, whose bulk is ferromagnetic, and correlate its imaged zigzag spin texture with the atomic lattice structure. The AFM order exhibits an intriguing noncollinear spin reorientation under magnetic fields, consistent with its calculated moderate magnetic anisotropy. The findings of this study demonstrate the intricacy of 2D vdW magnetic materials and pave the way for their in-depth analysis.