Magnetic structure of EuCd$_2$Sb$_2$ single-crystal thin-film

• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2405.13330
• Publication Date: 2024-05-22
• Authors: Eliot Heinrich; Ayano Nakamura; Shinichi Nishihaya; E. Weschke; H. M. Rønnow; Masaki Uchida; Benedetta Flebus; Jian-Rui Soh
• Keywords: Condensed Matter - Materials Science; Condensed Matter - Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics; Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall); Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci); FOS: Physical sciences

We investigate the magnetic order in single crystalline EuCd$_2$Sb$_2$ thin films using a combined theoretical and experimental approach. Resonant elastic x-ray scattering experiments reveal sharp peak at $q = (0, 0, \frac{1}{2})$ below $T_N 7.2$ K, indicative of interlayer antiferromagnetic ordering. Additionally, we observe weak diffuse signal centered 1)$ that persists above $T_N$, up to $T_C \sim 11$ K. Our Monte-Carlo simulations classical spin model approximation Eu sublattice demonstrate can arise from ferromagnetic coupling top few layers due surface oxidation. On other hand, bulk sample exhibits between layers. Finally, our fit parameters ordering temperatures, shed light on exchange couplings are key stabilizing observed composite order.