Magnetic Fluctuations and Correlations in MnSi - Evidence for a Skyrmion Spin Liquid Phase

TL;DR

This paper provides evidence for a skyrmion spin liquid phase in MnSi, identified through neutron scattering techniques, revealing a new magnetic state between helical and paramagnetic phases.

Contribution

It introduces the discovery of a skyrmion spin liquid phase in MnSi and characterizes its properties using advanced neutron scattering methods.

Findings

Confirmation of the first order helical transition

Identification of a narrow skyrmion spin liquid phase

Evidence of magnetic fluctuations consistent with skyrmion behavior

Abstract

We present a comprehensive analysis of high resolution neutron scattering data involving Neutron Spin Echo spectroscopy and Spherical Polarimetry which confirm the first order nature of the helical transition and reveal the existence of a new spin liquid skyrmion phase. Similar to the blue phases of liquid crystals this phase appears in a very narrow temperature range between the low temperature helical and the high temperature paramagnetic phases.