Beyond Germanides: Anomalous Hall Effect in the Silicide LaMn2Si2

TL;DR

This study predicts a significant anomalous Hall effect in LaMn2Si2, a silicide, using symmetry analysis and density functional calculations, highlighting its potential for spintronic applications.

Contribution

It extends the understanding of anomalous Hall effect to silicides, specifically LaMn2Si2, and predicts large Hall conductivity and enhancement via electron doping.

Findings

Large anomalous Hall conductivity of -360 S/cm in LaMn2Si2

Electron doping can increase Hall conductivity up to -650 S/cm

Silicides RM2Si2 are promising for studying anomalous Hall effect

Abstract

By combining symmetry analysis and direct density functional calculations including the spin-orbit coupling, we demonstrate that anomalous Hall effect can be observed in not only germanides with general formula RMn$_2$Ge$_2$, where $R$ is a rare-earth ion or Y. Our calculations predict a large anomalous Hall conductivity in LaMn$_2$Si$_2$, with a non-zero $\sigma_{xy}^{AH}$ component of $-360~\text{S/cm}$, accompanied by a pronounced magneto-optical response. Remarkably, electron doping of LaMn$_2$Si$_2$ is expected to substantially enhance the Hall conductivity, with values reaching up to -650 S/cm. These results suggest that silicides with general formula RM$_2$Si$_2$ can be an interesting platform for studying anomalous Hall effect.