Proximity effect of emergent field from spin ice in an oxide heterostructure

Authors

Mizuki Ohno, Takahiro C. Fujita, Masashi Kawasaki

Abstract

Geometrical frustration endows magnets with degenerate ground states, resulting in exotic spin structures and quantum phenomena. Such magnets, called quantum magnets, can display non-coplanar spin textures and be a viable platform for the topological Hall effect driven by “emergent field.” However, most quantum magnets are insulators, making it challenging to electrically detect associated fluctuations and excitations. Here, we probe magnetic transitions in the spin ice insulator Dy₂Ti₂O₇, a prototypical quantum magnet, as emergent magnetotransport phenomena at the heterointerface with the nonmagnetic metal Bi₂Rh₂O₇. Angle-dependent longitudinal resistivity exhibits peaks at the magnetic phase boundaries of spin ice due to domain boundary scattering. In addition, the anomalous Hall resistivity undergoes a sign change with the magnetic transition in Dy₂Ti₂O₇, reflecting the inversion of the emergent field. These findings, on the basis of epitaxial techniques, connect the fundamental research on insulating quantum magnets to their potential electronic applications, possibly leading to transformative innovations in quantum technologies.

Science Advances: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adk6308