Chern insulating state with double-$Q$ ordering wave vectors at the Brillouin zone boundary

TL;DR

This paper theoretically demonstrates a double-$Q$ magnetic state on a square lattice that exhibits topologically nontrivial properties, including Chern insulating behavior, driven by specific wave vector interactions and external magnetic fields.

Contribution

It introduces a novel double-$Q$ state with unique spin textures and topological properties, expanding the understanding of magnetic topological phases beyond skyrmion crystals.

Findings

Double-$Q$ spiral superposition creates unconventional noncoplanar spin textures.

The double-$Q$ state is stabilized by anisotropic interactions, high-harmonic wave vectors, and magnetic field.

The state exhibits Chern insulating behavior with quantized Hall conductivity.

Abstract

Magnetic multiple-$Q$ states consisting of multiple spin density waves are a source of unconventional topological spin textures, such as skyrmion and hedgehog. We theoretically investigate a topologically nontrivial double-$Q$ state with a net spin scalar chirality on a two-dimensional square lattice. We find that a double-$Q$ spiral superposition of the ordering wave vectors located at the Brillouin zone boundary gives rise to unconventional noncoplanar spin textures distinct from the skyrmion crystal. We show that such a double-$Q$ state is stabilized by the interplay among the easy-axis anisotropic interaction, high-harmonic wave-vector interaction, and external magnetic field. Furthermore, the obtained double-$Q$ state becomes a Chern insulating state with a quantum Hall conductivity when the Fermi level is located in the band gaps. Our present results provide another platform to realize topological magnetic states other than skyrmion crystals by focusing on the symmetry of constituent ordering wave vectors in momentum space.