Formation of Domains within Lower-to-higher Symmetry Structural Transition in CrI$_3$

TL;DR

This study investigates the structural transition in CrI$_3$, revealing domain formation during cooling that influences transition temperature and hysteresis, providing insights into two-dimensional magnetic materials.

Contribution

It offers the first detailed analysis of domain formation in CrI$_3$ during structural transition, linking domain behavior to transition hysteresis and temperature control.

Findings

Domains form during the structural transition despite symmetry increase.

Domain formation affects the transition temperature.

Large hysteresis observed during the phase change.

Abstract

CrI$_3$ represents one of the most important van der Waals systems on the route to understanding two-dimensional magnetic phenomena. Being arranged in a specific layered structure it also provides a unique opportunity to investigate structural transformations in dimension-confined systems. CrI$_3$ is dimorphic and possesses a higher symmetry low-temperature phase, which is quite uncommon. It contrasts with vanadium trihalides which show a higher symmetry high-temperature. An explanation of this distinct behavior together with a large cycle-dependent transition hysteresis is still an open question. Our low-temperature X-ray diffraction study conducted on CrI$_3$ single crystals complemented by magnetization and specific heat measurements was focused mainly on specific features of the structural transition during cooling. Our results manifest that the structural transition during cooling relates to the formation of structural domains despite the lower symmetry structure transforming to a higher symmetry one. We propose that these domains could control the transition temperature and also the size of thermal hysteresis.