Localized spin-orbit polaron in magnetic Weyl semimetal Co<sub>3</sub>Sn<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub>.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 33154384.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-020-19440-2 and PMC identifier 7644724.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
The kagome lattice Co<sub>3</sub>Sn<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub> exhibits the quintessential topological phenomena of a magnetic Weyl semimetal such as the chiral anomaly and Fermi-arc surface states. Probing its magnetic properties is crucial for understanding this correlated topological state. Here, using spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/S) and non-contact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM) combined with first-principle calculations, we report the discovery of localized spin-orbit polarons (SOPs) with three-fold rotation symmetry nucleated around single S-vacancies in Co<sub>3</sub>Sn<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2.</sub> The SOPs carry a magnetic moment and a large diamagnetic orbital magnetization of a possible topological origin associated relating to the diamagnetic circulating current around the S-vacancy. Appreciable magneto-elastic coupling of the SOP is detected by nc-AFM and STM. Our findings suggest that the SOPs can enhance magnetism and more robust time-reversal-symmetry-breaking topological phenomena. Controlled engineering of the SOPs may pave the way toward practical applications in functional quantum devices.