Spin-mediated hysteretic switching of unidirectional charge density waves by rotating magnetic fields

TL;DR

This study demonstrates hysteretic switching of unidirectional charge density waves in a magnetic kagome metal through in-plane magnetic field rotation, revealing a spin-mediated control mechanism with potential for quantum device applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method for controlling charge density wave orientations via magnetic field rotation, highlighting the role of spin-lattice coupling in this process.

Findings

Reversible transitions between CDW domains driven by magnetic field rotation.

Hysteresis observed in CDW configuration switching.

Coupling between magnetic spins and charge order modulates electronic states.

Abstract

Charge density waves (CDWs) are a widespread collective electronic order in quantum materials, furnishing key insights into symmetry breaking and competing phases. However, their dynamic control with external fields remains a pivotal challenge. Here, we report deterministic and hysteretic switching of unidirectional CDW orientation via in-plane magnetic field rotation in magnetic kagome metal GdTi3Bi4. Atomically resolved spectroscopy shows two types of 3a0*1a0 CDW domains, Q1 and Q2 oriented 60 degree apart along two distinct crystallographic directions and separated by atomically sharp domain walls. Rotating the magnetic field drives reversible transitions between these CDW configurations, exhibiting a robust C2-symmetric phase diagram with pronounced hysteresis. This hysteretic switching is mediated by a field-dependent reorientation of underlying antiferromagnetic spins, revealing a tunable energy landscape with stable and metastable states and modulates the electronic charge order via spin-lattice coupling. Our findings not only demonstrate the switching of CDW configurations by in-plane magnetic field but also reveal the mechanism of coupling between CDW and magnetic fields, offering new insights into CDW manipulation and versatile platform for developing a spin-mediated multistate spin-charge coupling memory and programmable quantum devices.