Ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic coexisting ground states and exchange bias effects in $\bf{MnBi_4Te_7}$ and $\bf{MnBi_6Te_{10}}$

TL;DR

This study reveals complex coexisting ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic ground states in MnBi4Te7 and MnBi6Te10, demonstrating tunable exchange bias effects and inhomogeneous interlayer magnetic coupling in layered topological materials.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive investigation of magnetic ground states and exchange bias effects in MnBi4Te7 and MnBi6Te10, highlighting the impact of Mn-Bi site mixing on interlayer magnetic interactions.

Findings

Coexisting FM-AFM ground states persist up to 2 septuple layers.

Mn-Bi site mixing causes inhomogeneous interlayer coupling.

Tunable exchange bias effect observed in the materials.

Abstract

Natural superlattice structures $\rm{(MnBi_2Te_4)(Bi_2Te_3)}$$_n$ ($n$ = 1, 2,...), in which magnetic $\rm{MnBi_2Te_4}$ layers are separated by nonmagnetic $\rm{Bi_2Te_3}$ layers, hold band topology, magnetism and reduced interlayer coupling, providing a promising platform for the realization of exotic topological quantum states. However, their magnetism in the two-dimensional limit, which is crucial for further exploration of quantum phenomena, remains elusive. Here, complex ferromagnetic (FM)-antiferromagnetic (AFM) coexisting ground states that persist up to the 2-septuple layers (SLs) limit are observed and comprehensively investigated in $\rm{MnBi_4Te_7}$ ($n$ = 1) and $\rm{MnBi_6Te_{10}}$ ($n$ = 2). The ubiquitous Mn-Bi site mixing modifies or even changes the sign of the subtle inter-SL magnetic interactions, yielding a spatially inhomogeneous interlayer coupling. Further, a tunable exchange bias effect is observed in $\rm{(MnBi_2Te_4)(Bi_2Te_3)}$$_n$ ($n$ = 1, 2), arising from the coupling between the FM and AFM components in the ground state. Our work highlights a new approach toward the fine-tuning of magnetism and paves the way for further study of quantum phenomena in $\rm{(MnBi_2Te_4)(Bi_2Te_3)}$$_n$ ($n$ = 1, 2,...) as well as their magnetic applications.