Evidence of symmetry lowering in antiferromagnetic metal TmB12 with dynamic charge stripes

TL;DR

This study reveals symmetry lowering in TmB12 due to suppression of RKKY exchange and formation of dynamic charge stripes, leading to multiple magnetic phases and anisotropic charge transport.

Contribution

The paper provides experimental evidence of symmetry lowering linked to charge stripe formation and magnetic phase complexity in TmB12, a novel insight into its magnetic and electronic behavior.

Findings

Multiple magnetic phases identified in TmB12

Symmetry lowering associated with charge stripe formation

Charge transport influenced by spin density waves and nano-domains

Abstract

Precise angle-resolved magnetoresistance and magnetization measurements have revealed (i) strong charge transport and magnetic anisotropy and (ii) emergence of a huge number of magnetic phases in the ground state of TmB12 antiferromagnetic metal with fcc crystal structure and dynamic charge stripes. By analyzing the angular H-fi magnetic phase diagrams reconstructed from experimental angle-resolved magnetoresistance and magnetization data we argue that the symmetry lowering is a consequence of suppression of the indirect Ruderman- Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) exchange along 110 directions between nearest neighboring magnetic moments of Tm3+ ions and subsequent redistribution of conduction electrons to quantum fluctuations of the electron density (stripes). Magnetoresistance components are discussed in terms of charge scattering on the spin density wave, itinerant ferromagnetic nano-domains and on-site Tm3+ spin fluctuations.