Synthesis and Anisotropic Magnetic Properties of LiCrTe\(_2\) Single Crystals with a Triangular-Lattice Antiferromagnetic Structure

• Published in: arXiv.org
• Main Authors: Witteveen, Catherine, Nocerino, Elisabetta, López-Paz, Sara A, Jeschke, Harald O, Pomjakushin, Vladimir Y, Månsson, Martin, von Rohr, Fabian O
• Format: Paper
• Language: English
• Published: Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 04.04.2023
• Subjects: Antiferromagnetism; Critical field (superconductivity); Crystal lattices; Crystal structure; Lithium; Low temperature; Magnetic properties; Magnetic structure; Magnetic transitions; Mathematical analysis; Neutron diffraction; Neutrons; Phase diagrams; Single crystals; Synthesis
• ISSN: 2331-8422

We report on the synthesis of LiCrTe\(_2\) single crystals and on their anisotropic magnetic properties. We have obtained these single crystals by employing a Te/Li-flux synthesis method. We find LiCrTe\(_2\) to crystallize in a TlCdS\(_2\) -type structure with cell parameters of \(a\) = 3.9512(5) Å and \(c\) = 6.6196(7) Å at \(T\) = 175 K. The content of lithium in these crystals was determined to be near stoichiometric by means of neutron diffraction. We find a pronounced magnetic transition at \(T^{\rm ab}_{\rm N}\) = 144 K and \(T^{\rm c}_{\rm N}\) = 148 K, respectively. These transition temperatures are substantially higher than earlier reports on polycrystalline samples. We have performed neutron powder diffraction measurements that reveal that the long-range low-temperature magnetic structure of single crystalline LiCrTe\(_2\) is an A-type antiferromagnetic (AFM) structure. Our DFT calculations are in good agreement with these experimental observations. We find the system to be easy axis with moments oriented along the \(c\)-direction experimentally as well as in our calculations. Thereby, the magnetic Hamiltonian can be written as \(H = H_{\rm Heisenberg} + \sum_i K_c (S_i^z)^2\) with \(K_c=-0.34K\) (where \(|S^z|=\frac{3}{2}\)). We find LiCrTe\(_2\) to be highly anisotropic, with a pronounced metamagnetic transition for \(H \perp ab\) with a critical field of \(\mu H_{MM}\)(5 K) \(\approx\) 2.5 T. Using detailed orientation-dependent magnetization measurements, we have determined the magnetic phase diagram of this material. Our findings suggest that LiCrTe\(_2\) is a promising material for exploring the interplay between crystal structure and magnetism, and could have potential applications in spin-based 2D devices.