Modifying the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya Interaction via Disruption of Ordered Intercalation in a van der Waals Magnet
The intercalation of magnetic atoms into van der Waals (vdW) gaps offers a unique opportunity to manipulate the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) and magnetic structures by modifying the local atomic structures in vdW magnets. Herein, a new strategy is proposed for modifying DMI by disrupting the atomic-scale order within the Cr sublattice of Cr-intercalated 2H-TaS<sub>2</sub>, i.e., Cr<sub>1/3</sub>TaS<sub>2</sub>, which enables significant and efficient DMI modulation across a wide range by controlling the degree of atomic disorder. Lorentz transmission electron microscopy reveals pronounced variations in spin-helix periods, which are correlated with changes in the degree of Cr ordering within the vdW gaps, as shown by atomic-resolution imaging and principal component analysis. First-principles calculations confirm that this structural ordering affects the DMI strength, thereby notably altering the spin textures and magnetic transition behaviors. These findings are further supported by macroscopic magnetic measurements and micromagnetic simulations, highlighting new pathways for controlling magnetic properties of vdW materials.
Authors
- Dongsheng Song (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1975-7671)
- Wei Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7126-5290)
- Haifeng Du (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4263-5023)
- Fengshan Zheng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7354-041X)
- Ying Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5834-6934)
- Jin-Zhu Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1841-1302)
- Binghui Ge (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6470-6278)
- Jiadong Dan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0225-5563)
- Jianxiong Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5145-8913)
- Yangrui Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3700-6524)
- Lei Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5427-6561)
- Luyang Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1626-0619)
Institutions
- Anhui University (CN)
- National University of Singapore (SG)
- South China Normal University (CN)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (CN)
- Southern University of Science and Technology (CN)
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory (CN)
- Naval Research Laboratory Information Technology Division
- Nanjing University (CN)
- South China University of Technology (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nano Letters
- Published
- 2025-03-08
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c00751
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Magnetic properties of thin films
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.74
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province
- National Key Research and Development Program of China
- Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province