A groundbreaking discovery by physicists at Rice University and their collaborators is unlocking a new understanding of magnetism and electronic interactions in advanced materials. This could potentially revolutionize technology fields such as quantum computing and high-temperature superconductors. Led by Zheng Ren and Ming Yi, the research team’s study focuses on iron-tin (FeSn) thin films, reshaping scientific understanding of kagome magnets—materials structured in a unique lattice design that can create unusual magnetic and electronic behaviors.
The study found that FeSn’s magnetic properties arise from localized electrons, not the mobile electrons previously thought to be responsible. This challenges existing theories about magnetism in kagome metals. “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,” said Ming Yi, associate professor of physics and astronomy and Rice Academy Senior Fellow.
Using advanced techniques like molecular beam epitaxy and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, the researchers created high-quality FeSn thin films and analyzed their electronic structure. They discovered that even at elevated temperatures, the kagome flat bands remained split, an indicator that localized electrons drive magnetism in the material. This adds a new layer of complexity to our understanding of how electron behavior influences magnetic properties in kagome magnets.
New magnetism insights in kagome metals
The study also revealed that some electron orbitals showed stronger interactions, a phenomenon known as selective band renormalization previously observed in iron-based superconductors. This offers a fresh perspective on how electron interactions influence the behavior of kagome magnets.
“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,” said Zheng Ren, a Rice Academy Junior Fellow. Beyond advancing the understanding of FeSn, the research has wider implications for materials with similar properties. Insights into flat bands and electron correlations could influence the development of new technologies such as high-temperature superconductors and topological quantum computation, where the interplay of magnetism and topological flat bands generates quantum states that can be used as quantum logic gates.
Researchers collaborating on this study include Jianwei Huang, Ananya Biswas, Yichen Zhang, Yaofeng Xie, Ziqin Yue, Lei Chen, Fang Xie, Kevin Allen, Han Wu, and Qirui Ren. They are joined by collaborators from worldwide institutions including the Weizmann Institute of Science, University of West Bohemia, Brookhaven National Lab, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. The study was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Robert A.
Welch Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation’s EPiQS Initiative, Rice Academy of Fellows, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship.
April Isaacs is a news contributor for DevX.com She is long-term, self-proclaimed nerd. She loves all things tech and computers and still has her first Dreamcast system. It is lovingly named Joni, after Joni Mitchell.
