Non-coplanar spin structure in a metallic thin film of triangular lattice antiferromagnet CrSe

Abstract

An antiferromagnetic metal with a two-dimensional triangular network offers a unique playground of intriguing magneto-transport properties and functionalities stemming from the interplay between conducting electrons and intricate magnetic phases. A NiAs-type CrSe is one of the candidates owing to alternate stackings of Cr and Se triangular atomic networks in its crystal structure. While the fabrication of CrSe thin films is indispensable to develop functional devices, studies on its thin-film properties have been limited to date due to the lack of metallic samples. Here, we report on the realization of metallic conductivities of CrSe thin films, which allows us to investigate their intrinsic magneto-transport properties. The metallic sample exhibits a co-occurrence of weak ferromagnetism with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and antiferromagnetic behavior, indicating the presence of non-coplanar spin structures. In addition, control of the polarity and tilting angle of the non-coplanar spin structure is accomplished by a sign of cooling magnetic fields. The observed non-coplanar spin structure, which can be a source of emergent magnetic field acting on the conducting electrons, highlights the high potential of the triangular lattice antiferromagnet and provides a unique platform for functional thin-film devices composed of NiAs-type derivative Cr chalcogenides and pnictides.