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arXiv · 2001.11295

Localized spin-orbit polaron in magnetic Weyl semimetal Co$_3$Sn$_2$S$_2$

Yuqing Xing·Jianlei Shen·Hui Chen·Li Huang·Yuxiang Gao·Qi Zheng·Yu-Yang Zhang·Geng Li·Bin Hu·Guojian Qian·Xianli Zhang·Peng Fan·Ruisong Ma·Qi Wang·Qiangwei Yin·Hechang Lei·Wei Ji·Shixuan Du·Haitao Yang·Chengmin Shen·Xiao Lin·Enke Liu·Baogen Shen·Ziqiang Wang·Hong-Jun Gao
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Abstract

The kagome lattice Co$_3$Sn$_2$S$_2$ exhibits the quintessential topological phenomena of a magnetic Weyl semimetal such as the chiral anomaly and Fermi-arc surface states. Probing its magnetic properties is crucial for understanding this correlated topological state. Here, using spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/S), we report the discovery of localized spin-orbit polarons (SOPs) with three-fold rotation symmetry nucleated around single-S vacancies in Co$_3$Sn$_2$S$_2$. The SOPs carry a spin-polarized magnetic moment and a large orbital magnetization of a topological origin associated with the Berry phase and the persistent circulating current. Appreciable magneto-elastic coupling of the SOP is detected by atomic force microscope and STM. Our findings suggest that the SOPs can enhance magnetism and stability of the magnetic Weyl nodes for more robust time-reversal-symmetry-breaking topological phenomena. Controlled engineering of the SOPs may pave the way toward practical applications in functional quantum devices.

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Yuqing Xing, Jianlei Shen, Hui Chen, Li Huang, Yuxiang Gao, Qi Zheng, Yu-Yang Zhang, Geng Li, Bin Hu, Guojian Qian, Xianli Zhang, Peng Fan, Ruisong Ma, Qi Wang, Qiangwei Yin, Hechang Lei, Wei Ji, Shixuan Du, Haitao Yang, Chengmin Shen, Xiao Lin, Enke Liu, Baogen Shen, Ziqiang Wang, Hong-Jun Gao. 2020-01-30. Localized spin-orbit polaron in magnetic Weyl semimetal Co$_3$Sn$_2$S$_2$. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-19440-2

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