A Dirac nodal line metal for topological antiferromagnetic spintronics

ORAL

Abstract

Topological antiferromagnetic (AFM) spintronics is an emerging field of research, which exploits the Néel vector to control the topological electronic states and the associated spin-dependent transport properties. A recently discovered Néel spin-orbit torque has been proposed to electrically manipulate Dirac band crossings in antiferromagnets; however, a reliable AFM material to realize these properties in practice is missing. Here, we predict that room temperature AFM metal MnPd2 allows the electrical control of the Dirac nodal line by the Néel spin-orbit torque. Based on first-principles density functional theory calculations, we show that reorientation of the Néel vector leads to switching between the symmetry-protected degenerate state and the gapped state associated with the dispersive Dirac nodal line at the Fermi energy. The calculated spin Hall conductivity strongly depends on the Néel vector orientation and can be used to experimentally detect the predicted effect using a proposed spin-orbit torque device. Our results indicate that AFM Dirac nodal line metal MnPd2 represents a promising material for topological AFM spintronics.

[1] Ding-Fu Shao, Gautam Gurung, Shu-Hui Zhang, and Evgeny Y. Tsymbal, arXiv:1810.09033.

–

Presenters

  • Ding-Fu Shao

    Department of Physics and Astronomy & Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Authors

  • Ding-Fu Shao

    Department of Physics and Astronomy & Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

  • Gautam Gurung

    University of Nebraska - Lincoln

  • Shuhui Zhang

    Beijing University of Chemical Technology

  • Evgeny Y Tsymbal

    Department of Physics and Astronomy & Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Department of Physics and Astronomy & Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Physics and Astronomy & Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Institute of Physics