The findings, detailed in 'Nature Communications' on October 30, underscore that the magnetism in FeSn stems from localized electrons, shifting away from prior models that attributed magnetism to mobile or itinerant electrons. This revelation adds a new layer to the scientific understanding of kagome metals, highlighting their potential for use in advanced applications such as quantum computing and superconductors.
"This work is expected to stimulate further experimental and theoretical studies on the emergent properties of quantum materials, deepening our understanding of these enigmatic materials and their potential real-world applications," stated Ming Yi, associate professor of physics and astronomy and Rice Academy Senior Fellow.
The researchers used a combined approach of molecular beam epitaxy and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy to synthesize high-quality FeSn thin films and analyze their electronic structures. Their findings revealed that even under higher temperature conditions, the kagome flat bands in FeSn maintained a distinct split, indicating that localized electrons, rather than mobile ones, are primarily responsible for the magnetism in these materials. This behavior, driven by electron correlation, provides new insight into the magnetic behaviors of kagome magnets.
Additionally, the study noted that selective band renormalization - where certain electron orbitals exhibit stronger interactions than others - plays a critical role in FeSn's properties. This phenomenon has been previously observed in iron-based superconductors, offering a new perspective on the magnetic behaviors in kagome materials.
"Our study highlights the complex interplay between magnetism and electron correlations in kagome magnets and suggests that these effects are non-negligible in shaping their overall behavior," explained Zheng Ren, a Rice Academy Junior Fellow.
Beyond expanding knowledge of FeSn, the research has wider implications for materials with similar attributes. By uncovering details about flat bands and electron correlations, this study opens avenues for the development of new technologies, such as high-temperature superconductors and topological quantum computing systems, where magnetism and flat-band characteristics could form quantum states essential for quantum logic gates.
Research Report:Persistent flat band splitting and strong selective band renormalization in a kagome magnet thin film
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