Nanowerk March 21, 2023
The recent realizations of the quantum anomalous Hall effect in MnBi2Te4 and MnBi4Te7 benchmark the (MnBi2Te4)(Bi2Te3)n family as a promising hotbed for further quantum anomalous Hall effect improvements. However, the quantum anomalous Hall effect realization is complicated in MnBi2Te4 and MnBi4Te7 due to the substantial antiferromagnetic coupling between the septuple layers. Although ferromagnetic state can be stabilized by interlacing the septuple layers with an increasing number n of Bi2Te3 quintuple layers the mechanisms driving the FM state and the number of necessary quintuple layers are not understood, and the surface magnetism remains obscure. An international team of researchers (Germany, Canada, Spain) has demonstrated robust ferromagnetic properties in MnBi6Te10 (n = 2) with Tc ≈ 12 K and established their origin in the Mn/Bi intermixing phenomenon by a combined experimental and theoretical study. The measurements revealed a magnetically intact surface with a large magnetic moment, and with ferromagnetic properties similar to the bulk. According to the researchers their investigation consolidates the MnBi6Te10 system as perspective for the QAHE at elevated temperatures… read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Crystal structure properties… Credit: Advanced Science, 17 February 2023