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  • Localized spin-orbit polaro...
    Xing, Yuqing; Shen, Jianlei; Chen, Hui; Huang, Li; Gao, Yuxiang; Zheng, Qi; Zhang, Yu-Yang; Li, Geng; Hu, Bin; Qian, Guojian; Cao, Lu; Zhang, Xianli; Fan, Peng; Ma, Ruisong; Wang, Qi; Yin, Qiangwei; Lei, Hechang; Ji, Wei; Du, Shixuan; Yang, Haitao; Wang, Wenhong; Shen, Chengmin; Lin, Xiao; Liu, Enke; Shen, Baogen; Wang, Ziqiang; Gao, Hong-Jun

    Nature communications, 11/2020, Volume: 11, Issue: 1
    Journal Article

    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.