Localized spin-orbit polaron in magnetic Weyl semimetal Co3Sn2S2
Yuqing Xing, Jianlei Shen, Hui Chen, Li Huang, Yuxiang Gao, Qi Zheng, Yu-Yang Zhang, Geng Li, Bin Hu, Guojian Qian, Lu Cao, Xianli Zhang, Peng Fan, Ruisong Ma, Qi Wang, Qiangwei Yin, Hechang Lei, Wei Ji, Shixuan Du, Haitao Yang, Wenhong Wang, Chengmin Shen, Xiao Lin, Enke Liu, Baogen Shen, Ziqiang Wang, Hong-Jun Gao
Abstract
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) and non-contact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM) combined with first-principle calculations, 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 magnetic moment and a large diamagnetic orbital magnetization of a possible topological origin associated relating to the diamagnetic circulating current around the S-vacancy. Appreciable magneto-elastic coupling of the SOP is detected by nc-AFM and STM. Our findings suggest that the SOPs can enhance magnetism and more robust time-reversal-symmetry-breaking topological phenomena. Controlled engineering of the SOPs may pave the way toward practical applications in functional quantum devices.