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Giant Anisotropic Magnetoresistance in Few-Layer α-RuCl3 Tunnel Junctions

Journal Article · · ACS Nano
The spin–orbit-assisted Mott insulator α-RuCl3 is proximate to the coveted quantum spin liquid (QSL) predicted by the Kitaev model. In the search for the pure Kitaev QSL, reducing the dimensionality of this frustrated magnet by exfoliation has been proposed as a way to enhance magnetic fluctuations and Kitaev interactions. Here, in this work, we perform angle-dependent tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) measurements on ultrathin α-RuCl3 crystals with various layer numbers to probe their magnetic, electronic, and crystal structures. We observe a giant change in resistance, as large as ~2500%, when the magnetic field rotates either within or out of the α-RuCl3 plane, a manifestation of the strongly anisotropic spin interactions in this material. In combination with scanning transmission electron microscopy, this tunneling anisotropic magnetoresistance (TAMR) reveals that few-layer α-RuCl3 crystals remain in the high-temperature monoclinic phase at low temperatures. It also shows the presence of a zigzag antiferromagnetic order below the critical temperature TN ≃ 14 K, which is twice the one typically observed in bulk samples with rhombohedral stacking. Our work offers valuable insights into the relation between the stacking order and magnetic properties of this material, which helps lay the groundwork for creating and electrically probing exotic magnetic phases such as QSLs via van der Waals engineering.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
2472677
Journal Information:
ACS Nano, Journal Name: ACS Nano Journal Issue: 36 Vol. 18; ISSN 1936-0851
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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