Non-relativistic spin splitting in compensated magnets that are not altermagnets

• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2402.14321
• Publication Date: 2024-02-22
• Authors: Lin‐Ding Yuan; Alexandru B. Geor...; James M. Rondinelli
• Keywords: Condensed Matter - Materials Science; Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci); FOS: Physical sciences

The non-relativistic spin-splitting (NRSS) of electronic bands in "altermagnets" has sparked renewed interest antiferromagnets (AFMs) that have no net magnetization. However, altermagnets with collinear and compensated magnetism are not the only type NRSS AFMs. In this study, we identify symmetry conditions characteristic signatures a distinct group AFMs go beyond description altermagnets. These compounds exhibit broken spin-degeneracy among spin-polarized at $\Gamma$ point absence spin-orbit coupling (SOC). We use density functional theory calculations to validate these models ternary magnetic nitrides, specifically MnXN$_2$ (X = Si, Ge, Sn), their cation ordered variants. By removing previous constraint on $\Gamma$, may facilitate generation spin currents without cancellation arising from alternating polarizations. Our findings expand scope eligible materials.