Entangled Topological Spin-lattice Textures in Chiral Layered Materials

Chiral magnets are premium hosts for emerging spin textures where the coupling between structural chirality and noncollinear magnetism plays a crucial role. However, most studies have been focused on homochiral materials, while topological magnetic states of heterochiral magnets have rarely been investigated. Magnetic-atom-intercalated transition metal chalcogenides (TMD) such as M1/3TaS2 (M=Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co) are ideal platforms for studying the effects of chiral domain boundaries on magnetic states. We have explored a series of these layered chiral magnets^1–3 to investigate the correlation between crystallographic and magnetic structures and demonstrate a topological spin/structure coupling in Cr1/3TaS2. Tuning the chiral domain density in Cr1/3TaS2, we discovered an exotic topological magnetic texture named spiral magnetic superstructure⁴. Numerical simulations suggest that this magnetic superstructure is stabilized by strains in the heterochiral state favoring noncollinear spins. Finally, we demonstrate the reversible manipulation of these hyper-sensitive spiral magnetic superstructures by strains, as well as other external stimuli such as magnetic fields, and electric currents with ultra-high energy efficiency5. These discoveries not only exemplify the great potential of heterochiral magnets as the host of novel magnetism but also open the door to realizing functional magnetic devices based on novel magnetic textures in layered chiral magnets, which can even be made down to the two-dimensional limit. 1. Horibe, Y. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 136, 8368–8373 (2014). 2. Choi, Y. J. et al. Europhys. Lett. 86, 37012 (2009). 3. Lim, S. et al. Nano Lett. 22, 1812–1817 (2022). 4. Du, K. et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 118, e2023337118 (2021). 5. Du, K. et al. Advanced Materials (2023)(https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202303750)