%0 Journal Article
%A Schmitt, Martin
%A Moras, Paolo
%A Bihlmayer, Gustav
%A Cotsakis, Ryan
%A Vogt, Matthias
%A Kemmer, Jeannette
%A Belabbes, Abderrezak
%A Sheverdyaeva, Polina M.
%A Kundu, Asish K.
%A Carbone, Carlo
%A Blügel, Stefan
%A Bode, Matthias
%T Indirect chiral magnetic exchange through Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya-enhanced RKKY interactions in manganese oxide chains on Ir(100)
%J Nature Communications
%V 10
%N 1
%@ 2041-1723
%C [London]
%I Nature Publishing Group UK
%M FZJ-2019-03383
%P 2610
%D 2019
%X Localized electron spins can couple magnetically via the Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida interaction even if their wave functions lack direct overlap. Theory predicts that spin–orbit scattering leads to a Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya type enhancement of this indirect exchange interaction, giving rise to chiral exchange terms. Here we present a combined spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy, angle-resolved photoemission, and density functional theory study of MnO2 chains on Ir(100). Whereas we find antiferromagnetic Mn–Mn coupling along the chain, the inter-chain coupling across the non-magnetic Ir substrate turns out to be chiral with a 120° rotation between adjacent MnO2 chains. Calculations reveal that the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction results in spin spirals with a periodicity in agreement with experiment. Our findings confirm the existence of indirect chiral magnetic exchange, potentially giving rise to exotic phenomena, such as chiral spin-liquid states in spin ice systems or the emergence of new quasiparticles.
%F PUB:(DE-HGF)16
%9 Journal Article
%$ pmid:31197169
%U <Go to ISI:>//WOS:000471227300013
%R 10.1038/s41467-019-10515-3
%U https://juser.fz-juelich.de/record/863296