Prototypical topological orbital ferromagnet $\gamma$-FeMn

TL;DR

This paper predicts a topological orbital magnetization in $ ext{γ}$-FeMn antiferromagnet driven by spin structure topology, independent of spin-orbit coupling, and explores its dependence on strain, composition, and spin texture.

Contribution

It introduces $ ext{γ}$-FeMn as a prototypical topological orbital ferromagnet with a macroscopic orbital magnetization arising from spin topology without spin-orbit interaction.

Findings

Topological orbital magnetization predicted in $ ext{γ}$-FeMn.

Orbital magnetization influenced by strain, composition, and spin texture.

Potential for orbital magnetostriction due to spin topology.

Abstract

We predict from first principles an entirely topological orbital magnetization in the noncoplanar bulk antiferromagnet $\gamma$-FeMn originating in the nontrivial topology of the underlying spin structure, without any reference to spin-orbit interaction. Studying the influence of strain, composition ratio, and spin texture on the topological orbital magnetization and the accompanying topological Hall effect, we promote the scalar spin chirality as key mechanism lifting the orbital degeneracy. The system is thus a prototypical topological orbital ferromagnet, the macroscopic orbital magnetization of which is prominent even without spin-orbit coupling. One of the remarkable features of $\gamma$-FeMn is the possibility for pronounced orbital magnetostriction mediated by the complex spin topology in real space.