NMR study of the local magnetic order in the kagome Weyl semimetal Co$_3$Sn$_2$S$_2$

TL;DR

This study uses $^{59}$Co NMR to investigate the local magnetic order in the kagome Weyl semimetal Co$_3$Sn$_2$S$_2$, revealing temperature-dependent magnetic behaviors and ruling out coexistence of certain magnetic phases.

Contribution

It provides the first local magnetic field measurements in Co$_3$Sn$_2$S$_2$ using NMR, clarifying the nature of magnetic order and phase transitions.

Findings

All Co sites are equivalent below 90 K.

Local magnetic field intensity follows macroscopic magnetization.

In-plane ferromagnetic-like moments emerge above 90 K.

Abstract

A magnetic Weyl semimetal presents the intriguing possibility of controlling topological properties through magnetic order. The kagome compound \CoSnS~has emerged as one of the most thoroughly characterized magnetic Weyl semimetals, yet the potential coexistence of a ferromagnetic state below $T_c$ = 172~K with a non-collinear antiferromagnetic phase or a glassy state remains unresolved. We employ $^{59}$Co NMR to gain a local perspective on the magnetic order. The magnetic and electric field gradient tensors at room temperature are determined by fitting the NMR spectra using evolutionary algorithms. Zero-field NMR measurements reveal that all Co sites are equivalent in the magnetic phase at low temperatures and up to 90~K. The local magnetic field follows in intensity the macroscopic magnetization as a function of temperature and is tilted from the c-axis by a few degrees toward the nearest triangle center. Above 90~K, a shoulder appears on the low-field side, which we attribute to a preferential tilting of the local field in one direction, breaking the equivalence between the three Co sites of the kagome structure. We rule out any coexistence with an in-plane antiferromagnetic phase and suggest instead that in-plane ferromagnetic-like moments appear above 90~K and play an increasing role in the magnetic order up to the magnetic transition.