In this paper we have studied, by means of high-resolution neutron powder diffraction and magnetic susceptibility, the structural and magnetic features of selected samples of the HoBaCo2O5+delta layered cobaltite in the low oxygen content range (0.02<delta<0.22). The results shows a strong antiferromagnetic contribution at room temperature coupled to an intermediate spin state of the Co3+ ions.
In this work we present the result of the first experimental investigation of the role of oxygen content on the properties of the HoBaCo2O5+delta layered cobaltite. We have measured the variation of oxygen content as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure by means of thermogravimetry coupled to chemical titration analysis. On selected samples of accurately known oxygen content we have undertaken a systematic investigation of their structural, thermal and magnetic properties by means of x-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and magnetometry. The overall results gai…
Using muon spin spectroscopy we have found that, for both Na$_x$CoO$_2$ (0.6 $\leq x \leq$ 0.9) and 3- and 4-layer cobaltites, a common low temperature magnetic state (which in some cases is manifest as an incommensurate spin density wave) forms in the CoO$_2$ planes. Here we summarize those results and report a dome-shaped relation between the transition temperature into the low-$T$ magnetic state and the composition $x$ for Na$_x$CoO$_2$ and/or the high-temperature asymptotic limit of thermopower in the more complex 3- and 4-layer cobaltites. This behavior is explained using the Hubbard mode…
Rare earth perovskite cobaltites are increasingly recognized as materials of importance due to rich physics and chemistry in their ordered-disordered structure for the same composition. Apart from colossal magnetoresistance effect, like manganites, the different forms of cobaltites exhibit interesting phenomena including spin, charge and orbital ordering, electronic phase separation, insulator-metal transition, large thermoelectric power at low temperature. Moreover, the cobaltites which display colossal magnetoresistance effect could be used as read heads in magnetic data storage and also in …
Crystal and magnetic structures of the $x=0.2$ member of La$_{\rm 0.8-x}$Tb$_{\rm x}$Ca$_{0.2}$CoO$_3$ perovskite series have been determined from the powder neutron diffraction. Enhancement of the diffraction peaks due to ferromagnetic or cluster glass ordering is observed below $T_C=55$ K. The moments evolve at first on Co sites, and ordering of Ising-type Tb$^{3+}$ moments is induced at lower temperatures by a molecular field due to Co ions. The final magnetic configuration is collinear F$_x$ for cobalt subsystem, while it is canted F$_x$C$_y$ for terbium ions. The rare-earth moments align …
In this article we present a neutron diffraction in-situ study of the thermal evolution and high-temperature structure of layered cobaltites Y(Ba, Sr)Co2 O5+δ. Neutron thermodiffractograms and magnetic susceptibility measurements are reported in the temperature range 20 K <= T <= 570 K, as well as high resolution neutron diffraction experiments at selected temperatures. Starting from the as-synthesized samples with δ ~ 0.5, we show that the room temperature phases remain stable up to 550 K, where they start loosing oxygen and transform to a vacancy-disordered "112" structure with tetragonal sy…
We report the effects of Al-doping on the structure and magnetic properties in CaBa(Co$_{1-x}$Al$_{x}$)$_4$O$_7$ (0$\leq$x$\leq$0.25). The system exhibits a structural transition from an orthorhombic symmetry to a hexagonal symmetry when the Al content exceeds $x =$ 0.1. The Curie temperature and the value of the magnetization decrease with increasing Al doping level, indicating that the ferrimagnetic ground state is gradually suppressed. The ground state eventually transits into a spin-glass state for $x >$ 0.1. Moreover, the short-range magnetic correlations, which occur at high temperatures…
We systematically studied the magnetic and transport properties for the polycrystalline samples of Fe-doped perovskite cobaltites: Pr$_{1-y}$Ca$_{y}$Co$_{1-x}$Fe$_x$O$_3$ ($y$=0.3, $x$=0-0.15; $y$=0.45, $x$=0-0.3) and Gd$_{0.55}$Sr$_{0.45}$Co$_{1-x}$Fe$_x$O$_{3}$ ($x$=0-0.3). Fe doping leads to an enhancement of the ferromagnetism in the systems of Pr$_{1-y}$Ca$_{y}$Co$_{1-x}$Fe$_x$O$_3$, while the ferromagnetism is suppressed with further increasing Fe content and spin-glass behavior is observed at high doping level of Fe. In contrast, the ferromagnetism is suppressed in the system Gd$_{0.55}…
A positive muon spin rotation and relaxation ($μ^+$SR) experiment on [Ca$_2$CoO$_3$]$_{0.62}$[CoO$_2$], ({\sl i.e.}, Ca$_3$Co$_4$O$_9$, a layered thermoelectric cobaltite) indicates the existence of two magnetic transitions at $\sim$ 100 K and 400 - 600 K; the former is a transition from a paramagnetic state to an incommensurate ({\sf IC}) spin density wave ({\sf SDW}) state. The anisotropic behavior of zero-field $μ^+$SR spectra at 5 K suggests that the {\sf IC-SDW} propagates in the $a$-$b$ plane, with oscillating moments directed along the c-axis; also the {\sf IC-SDW} is found to exist not…
Magnetism of a misfit layered cobaltite [Ca$_2$Co$_{4/3}$Cu$_{2/3}$O$_4$]$_x^{\rm RS}$[CoO$_2$] ($x \sim$ 0.62, RS denotes a rocksalt-type block) was investigated by a positive muon spin rotation and relaxation ($μ^+$SR) experiment. A transition to an incommensurate ({\sf IC}) spin density wave ({\sf SDW}) state was found below 180 K (= $T_{\rm C}^{\rm on}$); and a clear oscillation due to a static internal magnetic field was observed below 140 K (= $T_{\rm C}$). Furthermore, an anisotropic behavior of the zero-field $μ^+$SR experiment indicated that the {\sf IC-SDW} propagates in the $a$-$b$ …
In this article we study the effects of a partial substitution of Ba with the smaller cation Ca in the layered cobaltites YBaCo_2O_{5+δ} for δ\approx 0.5. Neutron thermodiffractograms are reported for the compounds YBa_{0.95}Ca_{0.05}Co_2O_{5.5} (x_{Ca}=0.05) and YBa_{0.90}Ca_{0.10}Co_2O_{5.5} (x_{Ca}=0.10) in the temperature range 20 K \leq T \leq 300 K, as well as high resolution neutron diffraction experiments at selected temperatures for the samples x_{Ca}=0.05, x_{Ca}=0.10 and the parent compound x_{Ca}=0. We have found the magnetic properties to be strongly affected by the cationic subst…
We have investigated the systematic transport properties of the layered 112-type cobaltite LaBaCo2O5.5 by means of electrical resistivity, magnetoresistance, electroresistance and thermoelectric measurements in various conditions. In order to understand the complex conduction mechanism of LaBaCo2O5.5, the transport data have been analyzed using different theoretical models. The system shows semiconductor-semiconductor like transition (TSC) around 326K, corresponding to ferromagnetic transition and in the low temperature region resistivity data follows the Motts variable range hopping model. In…
A new nanoscale ordered perovskite cobaltite, which consists of 90 degree ordered domains of the layered-112 LaBaCo2O6 has been evidenced by high resolution- transmission electron microscopy. This new form, like the disordered La0.5Ba0.5CoO3 and ordered LaBaCo2O6, exhibits a ferromagnetic transition at TC around 179 K. However, it differs from the two previous forms by its strong magnetic anisotropy, and correlatively by its high value of coercivity (0.42 Tesla) at low temperature. We suggest that this behaviour originates from the locking of magnetic spins in the 90 degree oriented nano-domai…
We have investigated cobaltite relatives of the layered perovskite cuprates and nickelates, Pr$_{2-x}$Ca$_x$CoO$_4$ ($0.39 \leq x \leq 0.73$) and La$_{2-x}$Sr$_x$CoO$_4$ ($x = 0.61$), using elastic neutron scattering. We have discovered doping-dependent incommensurate short-range ordering of charges and magnetic moments, which in cobaltites occur in the range of heavy doping, $ 0.5 \lesssim x \lesssim 0.75$. The charge order exists already at room temperature and shows no change on cooling. The incommensurability of its propagation vector, ${\bf Q}_c = (ε_c,0,l)$, roughly scales with the conce…
When combined with transition metals with partially filled $d$-orbitals, magnetism can be incorporated in two-dimensional materials, which greatly expands the scope for fundamental researches and potential applications of these materials. Here, a first-principles study of a new two-dimensional ferromagnet VI$_3$ has been carried out. The structural symmetry, magnetic and electronic properties of VI$_3$ in its bulk and single layer forms have been confirmed and predicted, respectively. Its ferromagnetic Curie temperature is predicted to be reduced by half in its monolayer form. In addition, the…
We use a combination of polarized Raman spectroscopy experiment and model magnetism-phonon coupling calculations to study the rich magneto-Raman effect in the two-dimensional (2D) magnet $\mathrm{CrI_3}$. We reveal a novel layered-magnetism-assisted phonon scattering mechanism below the magnetic onset temperature, whose Raman excitation breaks time-reversal symmetry, has an antisymmetric Raman tensor, and follows the magnetic phase transitions across critical magnetic fields, on top of the presence of the conventional phonon scattering with symmetric Raman tensors in $N$-layer $\mathrm{CrI_3}$…
Layered transition-metal compounds with controllable magnetic behaviors provide many fascinating opportunities for the fabrication of high-performance magneto-electric and spintronic devices. The tuning of their electronic and magnetic properties is usually limited to the change of layer thickness, electrostatic doping, and the control of electric and magnetic fields. However, pressure has been rarely exploited as a control parameter for tailoring their magneto-electric properties. Here, we report a unique pressure-driven isostructural phase transition in layered CrCl3 accompanied by a simulta…
The layered perovskite PrBaCo2O5.5+x demonstrates a strong negative thermal expansion (NTE) which holds potential for being fabricated into composites with zero thermal expansion. The NTE was found to be intimately associated with the spontaneous magnetic ordering, known as magnetovolume effect (MVE). Here we report with compelling evidences that the continuous-like MVE in PrBaCo2O5.5+x is intrinsically of discontinuous character, originating from an magnetoelectric transition from an antiferromagnetic insulating large-volume (AFILV) phase to a ferromagnetic metallic small-volume (FMSV) phase.…
Control of materials through custom design of ionic distributions represents a powerful new approach to develop future technologies ranging from spintronic logic and memory devices to energy storage. Perovskites have shown particular promise for ionic devices due to their high ion mobility and sensitivity to chemical stoichiometry. In this work, we demonstrate a solid-state approach to control of ionic distributions in (La,Sr)CoO$_{3}$ thin films. Depositing a Gd capping layer on the perovskite film, oxygen is controllably extracted from the structure, up-to 0.5 O/u.c. throughout the entire 36…
Platinum diselenide (PtSe$_{2}$) is a recently-discovered extrinsic magnet, with its magnetism attributed to the presence of Pt-vacancies. The host material to these defects itself displays interesting structural and electronic properties, some of which stem from an unusually strong interaction between its layers. To date, it is not clear how the unique intrinsic properties of PtSe$_2$ will affect its induced magnetism. In this theoretical work, we show that the defect-induced magnetism in PtSe$_{2}$ thin films is highly sensitive to: (i) the layer-thickness (ii) defect density, and (iii) subs…
Recent discoveries in two-dimensional (2D) magnetism have intensified the investigation of van der Waals (vdW) magnetic materials and further improved our ability to tune their magnetic properties. Tunable magnetism has been widely studied in antiferromagnetic metal thiophosphates MPX3. Substitution of metal ions M has been adopted as an important technique to engineer the magnetism in MPX3. In this work, we have studied the previously unexplored chalcogen X substitutions in MPX3 (M = Mn/Ni; X = S/Se). We synthesized the single crystals of MnPS3-xSex (0 < x < 3) and NiPS3-xSex (0 < x < 1.3) an…
Recently discovered ferromagnetism of the layered van der Waals material VI$_3$ attracts much research attention. Despite substantial progress,in the following important aspects no consensus has been reached: (i) a possible deviation of the easy axis from the normal to the VI$_3$ layers, (ii) a possible inequivalence of the V atoms, (iii) the value of the V magnetic moments. The theoretical works differ in the conclusions on the conduction nature of the system,the value and the role of the V orbital moments. To the best of our knowledge there is no theoretical works addressing issues (i) and (…
MCrS2 compounds (M=Li, Na, K, Cu, Ag, and Au) with triangular Cr layers show large variety of magnetic ground states ranging from 120-degree antiferromagnetic order of Cr spins in LiCrS2 to double stripes in AgCrS2, helimagnetic order in NaCrS2, and, finally, ferromagnetic Cr layers in KCrS2. On the base of ab-initio band structure calculations and an analysis of various contributions to exchange interactions between Cr spins we explain this tendency as originating from a competition between antiferromagnetic direct nearest-neighbor d-d exchange and ferromagnetic superexchange via S p states w…
Two-dimensional (2D) materials can host stable, long-range magnetic phases in the presence of underlying magnetic anisotropy. The ability to realize the full potential of 2D magnets necessitates systematic investigation of the role of individual atomic layers and nanoscale inhomogeneity ($\textit{i.e.}$, strain) on the emergence and stability of both intra- and interlayer magnetic phases. Here, we report multifaceted spatial-dependent magnetism in few-layer CrSBr using magnetic force microscopy (MFM) and Monte Carlo-based magnetic simulations. We perform nanoscale visualization of the magnetic…
Layered thallium copper chalcogenides can form single, double, or triple layers of Cu-Ch separated by Tl sheets. Here we report on the preparation and properties of Tl-based materials of TlCu2Se2, TlCu4S3, TlCu4Se3 and TlCu6S4, and compare to reports on layered ACu2nChn+1 materials with A = Ba, K, Rb, and Cs, and Ch = S, Se. Having no long-range magnetism for these materials is quite surprising considering the possibilities of inter- and intra-layer exchange interactions through Cu 3d, and we measure by magnetic susceptibility and confirm by neutron diffraction. First principles density-functi…
We report the structural and magnetic properties of four-layer Aurivillius compound Bi$_5$FeTi$_3$O$_{15}$ (BFTO) at high hydrostatic pressure conditions. The high-pressure XRD data does not explicitly show structural phase transitions with hydrostatic pressure, however the observed changes in lattice parameters indicate structural modifications at different pressure values. In the initial pressure region values, the lattice parameters $\textit{a}$- and $\textit{b}$- are nearly equal implying a quasi-tetragonal structure, however as the pressure increases $\textit{a}$- and $\textit{b}$- diverg…
Manipulating quantum state via electrostatic gating has been intriguing for many model systems in nanoelectronics. When it comes to the question of controlling the electron spins, more specifically, the magnetism of a system, tuning with electric field has been proven to be elusive. Recently, magnetic layered semiconductors have attracted much attention due to their emerging new physical phenomena. However, challenges still remain in the demonstration of a gate controllable magnetism based on them. Here, we show that, via ionic gating, strong field effect can be observed in few-layered semicon…
In the work the analysis of crystal chemical researches of nickel borocarbides RNi2B2C (R = rare earth) is given. The reasons of representation of dependence of Tc from crystal chemical parameters by two separate curves for magnetic and nonmagnetic R are considered. Common for all R dependences of Tc from crystal chemical parameters similar existing in layered quasi-two-dimensional systems (HTSC cuprates and diborides) are established. The absence of influence on borocarbides Tc of magnetic properties R is determined. On the basis of the found correlations the radii of a number of rare earths …
Various types of magnetism can appear in emerging quantum materials such as van der Waals layered ones. Here, we report the successful doping of manganese atoms into a post-transition metal dichalcogenide semiconductor: SnSe$_2$. We synthesized a single crystal Sn$_{1-x}$Mn$_x$Se$_{2}$ with $\textit{x}$ = 0.04 by the chemical vapor transport (CVT) method and characterized it by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The magnetic properties indicated a competition between coexisting ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions, from the temperature dependenc…
In the quest of finding novel and efficient batteries, a great interest has raised in K-based honeycomb layer oxide materials both for their fundamental properties and potential applications. A key issue in the realization of efficient batteries based on such compounds, is to understand the K-ion diffusion mechanism. However, investigation of potassium-ion (K$^+$) dynamics in materials using magneto-spin properties has so far been challenging, due to its inherently weak nuclear magnetic moment, in contrast to other alkali ions such as lithium and sodium. Spin-polarised muons, having a high gyr…
Next-generation spintronic devices will benefit from low-dimensionality, ferromagnetism, and half-metallicity, possibly controlled by electric fields. We find these technologically-appealing features to be combined with an exotic microscopic origin of magnetism in doped CdOHCl, a van der Waals material from which 2D layers may be exfoliated. By means of first principles simulations, we predict homogeneous hole-doping to give rise to $p$-band magnetism in both the bulk and monolayer phases and interpret our findings in terms of Stoner instability: as the Fermi level is tuned via hole-doping thr…
Incorporating magnetism into two dimensional (2D) van der Waals (VdW) heterostrutures is crucial for the development of functional electronic and magnetic devices. Here we show that Nb3X8 (X = Cl, Br) is a family of 2D layered trimerized kagomé magnets that are paramagnetic at high temperatures and undergo a first order phase transition on cooling to a singlet magnetic state. X-ray diffraction shows that a rearrangement of the VdW stacking accompanies the magnetic transition, with high and low temperature phases consistent with STEM images of the end members α-Nb3Cl8 and \b{eta}-Nb3Br8. The te…
The discovery of an ever increasing family of atomic layered magnetic materials, together with the already established vast catalogue of strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and topological systems, calls for some guiding principles to tailor and optimize novel spin transport and optical properties at their interfaces. Here we focus on the latest developments in both fields that have brought them closer together and make them ripe for future fruitful synergy. After outlining fundamentals on van der Waals (vdW) magnetism and SOC effects, we discuss how their coexistence, manipulation and competitio…
We discuss a new class of phenomena based on strong interaction between magnetic superstructures and vortices in superconductors in combined heterogeneous structures. An inhomogeneous magnetization can pin vortices or create them spontaneously changing drastically properties of the superconductor. On the other hand, the interaction between magnetic moments mediated by vortices can result in specific types of magnetic ordering. The same interaction can create coupled magnetic-superconducting defects. We discuss possible experimental observation of magnetism controlled vortex matter in supercond…
The recently synthesized first 4d transition-metal oxide-hydride LaSr3NiRuO4H4 with the unusual high H:O ratio surprisingly displays no magnetic order down to 1.8 K. This is in sharp contrast to the similar unusual low-valent Ni+ - Ru2+ layered oxide LaSrNiRuO4 which has a rather high ferromagnetic (FM) ordering Curie temperature TC about 250 K. In this work, using density functional calculations with aid of crystal field level diagrams and superexchange pictures, we find that the contrasting magnetism is due to the distinct spin-orbital states of the Ru2+ ions (in addition to the common Ni+ S…
Two-dimensional van der Waals MnBi$_{2n}$Te$_{3n+1}$ (n = 1, 2, 3, 4) compounds have been recently found to be intrinsic magnetic topological insulators rendering quantum anomalous Hall effect and diverse topological states. Here, we summarize and compare the crystal and magnetic structures of this family, and discuss the effects of chemical composition on their magnetism. We found that a considerable fraction of Bi occupies at the Mn sites in MnBi$_{2n}$Te$_{3n+1}$ (n = 1, 2, 3, 4) while Mn is no detectable at the non-magnetic atomic sites within the resolution of neutron diffraction experime…
We present self flux growth and characterization of single crystalline AlMn$_2$B$_2$. It is an orthorhombic (space group Cmmm), layered material with a plate like morphology. The anisotropic bulk magnetization data, electrical transport and $^{11}$B nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) data revealed an antiferromagnetic (AFM) transition at 313 $\pm$ 2 K. In the magnetization data, there is also a broad local maximum significantly above the AFM transition that could be a signature of low dimensional magnetic interactions in AlMn$_2$B$_2$.
Molybdenum disulphide, a diamagnetic layered dichalcogenide solid, is found to show magnetic ordering at room temperature when exposed to a 2 MeV proton beam. The temperature dependence of magnetization displays ferrimagnetic behavior with a Curie temperature of 895 K. A disorder mode corresponding to a zone-edge phonon and a Mo valence higher than +4, have been detected in the irradiated samples using Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The possible origins of long-range magnetic ordering in irradiated MoS2 samples are discussed.
Magnetism in lanthanum cobaltite (LCO, LaCoO$_3$) appears to be strongly dependent on strain, defects, and nanostructuring. LCO on strontium titanate (STO, SrTiO$_3$) is a ferromagnet with an interesting strain relaxation mechanism that yields a lattice modulation. However, the driving force of the ferromagnetism is still controversial. Experiments debate between a vacancy-driven or strain-driven mechanism for the ferromagnetism of epitaxial LCO. We found that a weak lateral modulation of the superstructure is sufficient to promote ferromagnetism. We find that ferromagnetism appears under unia…
An unexplored physical mechanism which produces a magnetoelectric effect in ferroelectric/ferromagnetic multilayers is studied based on first-principles calculations. Its origin is a change in bonding at the ferroelectric/ferromagnet interface that alters the interface magnetization when the electric polarization reverses. Using Fe/BaTiO3 multilayers as a representative model we show a sizable difference in magnetic moments of Fe and Ti atoms at the two interfaces dissimilar by the orientation of the local electric dipole moment. The predicted magnetoelectric effect is comparable in magnitude …
Using ab initio methods based on density functional theory, the electronic and magnetic structure of layered hexagonal NbSe$_{2}$ is studied. In the case of single-layer NbSe$_{2}$ it is found that, for all the functionals considered, the magnetic solution is lower in energy than the non-magnetic solution. The magnetic ground-state is ferrimagnetic with a magnetic moment of 1.09 $μ_{B}$ at the Nb atoms and a magnetic moment of 0.05 $μ_{B}$, in the opposite direction, at the Se atoms. Our calculations show that single-layer NbSe$_{2}$ does not display a charge density wave instability unless a …
Results are reported for the $f$-electron intermetallic CeAuAl$_4$Ge$_2$, where the atomic arrangement of the cerium ions creates the conditions for geometric frustration. Despite this, magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that the low temperature magnetic exchange interaction is weak, resulting in marginally frustrated behavior and ordering near $T_{\rm{M}}$ $\approx$ 1.4 K. This occurs within a metallic Kondo lattice, where electrical resistivity and heat capacity measurements show that the Kondo-driven electronic correlations are negligible. Quantum oscillations are detected in ac-ma…
Recent advances in two-dimensional (2D) magnetism have heightened interest in layered magnetic materials due to their potential for spintronics. In particular, layered semiconducting antiferromagnets exhibit intriguing low-dimensional semiconducting behavior with both charge and spin as carrier controls. However, synthesis of these compounds is challenging and remains rare. Here, we conducted firstprinciples based high-throughput search to screen potentially stable mixed metal phosphorous trichalcogenides (MM'P2X6, where M and M' are transition metals and X is a chalcogenide) that have a wide …
$α$-RuCl$_3$ has been extensively studied recently because of potential bond-dependent Kitaev magnetic exchange interactions and the resulting quantum spin liquid phase that can be realized therein. It has been known that the covalency between Ru 4$d$- and Cl $p$-orbitals is crucial to induce large Kitaev interactions in this compound, therefore replacing Cl into heavier halogen elements such as Br or I can be a promising way to promote the Kitaev interaction even further. In a timely manner, there have been reports on synthesis of $α$-RuBr$_3$ and $α$-RuI$_3$, which are expected to host the s…
Discovery of intrinsic two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials is crucial for understanding the fundamentals of 2D magnetism and realizing next-generation magnetoelectronic and magneto-optical devices. Although significant efforts have been devoted to identifying 2D magnetism by exfoliating bulk magnetic layered materials, seldom studies are performed to synthesize ultra-thin magnetic materials directly for non-layered magnetic materials. Here, we report the successful synthesis of a new type of theoretically proposed 2D metallic ferromagnet 1T FeS2, through the molten-salt-assisted chemical v…
In this paper we study the possible relation between the electronic and magnetic structure of the TiO2/LaAlO3 interface and the unexpected magnetism found in undoped TiO2 films grown on LaAlO$_3$. We concentrate on the role played by structural relaxation and interfacial oxygen vacancies. LaAlO3 has a layered structure along the (001) direction with alternating LaO and AlO2 planes, with nominal charges of +1 and -1, respectively. As a consequence of that, an oxygen deficient TiO2 film with anatase structure will grow preferently on the AlO2 surface layer. We have therefore performed ab-initio …
Two-dimensional van der Waals (2D vdW) materials that display ferromagnetism and piezoelectricity have received increased attention. Despite numerous 2D materials have so far been reported as ferromagnetic, developing an air stable and transferable vdW material that is multiferroic has been challenging. To address this problem, we report our work on layered transition metal silicates that are derivatives of kaolinites and lizardites with transition metal substituting on Al$^{3+}$ and Mg$^{2+}$ sites using ab-initio calculations. Using Density Functional Theory (DFT), we show that these compoun…
Materials composed of two dimensional layers bonded to one another through weak van der Waals interactions often exhibit strongly anisotropic behaviors and can be cleaved into very thin specimens and sometimes into monolayer crystals. Interest in such materials is driven by the study of low dimensional physics and the design of functional heterostructures. Binary compounds with the compositions MX2 and MX3 where M is a metal cation and X is a halogen anion often form such structures. Magnetism can be incorporated by choosing a transition metal with a partially filled d-shell for M, enabling fe…
Layered pnictide materials have provided a fruitful platform to study various emergent phenomena, including superconductivity, magnetism, charge density waves, etc. Here we report the observation of structural distortion and noncollinear magnetism in layered pnictide EuAg$_4$As$_2$ via transport, magnetization, single crystal X-ray and neutron diffraction data. EuAg$_4$As$_2$ single crystal shows a structural distortion at 120 K, where two sets of superlattice peaks with the propagation vectors of $q_1=\pm$(0, 0.25, 0.5) and $q_2=\pm$(0.25, 0, 1) emerge. Between 9 K to 15 K, the hexagonal Eu$^…
Exploring and controlling magnetism in two-dimensional (2D) layered magnetic crystals, as well as their inclusion in heterogeneous assemblies, provide an unprecedented opportunity for fundamental science and technology. To date, however, there are only a few known intrinsic 2D magnets. Here we predict a novel 2D intrinsic magnet, yttrium sulfur selenide (YSSe), using first-principles calculations. The magnetism of this transition metal dichalcogenide originates from the partially-filled $3p$- and $4p$-orbitals of the chalcogens, unlike other known intrinsic magnets where magnetism arises from …
