Charge density wave-templated spin cycloid in topological semimetal $NdSb_{x}Te_{2-x-δ}$

• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2301.13102
• Publication Date: 2023-01-01
• Authors: Tyger H. Salters; Fabio Orlandi; Tanya R. Berry; Jason F. Khoury; Ethan Whittaker; Pascal Manuel; Leslie M. Schoop
• Keywords: Magnetism; Charge Density Wave

Magnetic topological semimetals present open questions regarding the interplay of crystal symmetry, magnetism, band topology, and electron correlations. $LnSb_{x}Te_{2-x-\delta}$ (Ln= lanthanide) is a family square-net-derived that allows compositional control filling, access to different states via an evolving charge density wave (CDW) distortion. Previously studied Gd Ce members containing CDW have shown complex magnetic phase diagrams, which implied spins localized on Ln interact with CDW, but this date, no structures been solved within regime compounds. Here, we report magnetism in $NdSb_{x}Te_{2-x-\delta}$, by comparing undistorted square net member $NdSb_{0.94}Te_{0.92}$ CDW-distorted $NdSb_{0.48}Te_{1.37}$, single-crystal x-ray diffraction, magnetometry, heat capacity, neutron powder diffraction. collinear antiferromagnet $T_N$ $\sim$ 2.7 K, where align antiparallel each other, parallel nuclear structure. $NdSb_{0.48}Te_{1.37}$ exhibits nearly five-fold modulated ($q_{CDW}=0.18b^*$), isostructural other at similar x. displays more $T_N = 2.3 K$, additional metamagnetic transitions, elliptical cycloid structure $q_{mag}=-0.41b^*$.The magnitudes $q_{CDW}$ $q_{mag}$ exhibit integer relationship, $1+2q_{mag}=q_{CDW}$, implying coupling between Given nonmagnetic distorted net, propose conduction electrons "template" spin modulation Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interaction.