Structural analysis of high-pressure phase for skyrmion-hosting multiferroic Cu2OSeO3
Abstract
Cu2OSeO3 is known as a unique example of insulating multiferroic compounds with a skyrmion spin texture, which is characterized by a chiral cubic crystal structure at ambient pressure. Recently, it has been reported that this compound shows a pressure-induced structural transition with a large enhancement of magnetic ordering temperature. In the present Rapid Communication, we have investigated the detailed crystal structure in the high-pressure phase, by combining a synchrotron x-ray diffraction experiment with a diamond anvil cell and an analysis based on the genetic algorithm. Our results suggest that the original pyrochlore Cu network is sustained even after the structural transition, while the orientation of the SeO3 molecule as well as the position of oxygen in the middle of the Cu tetrahedra are significantly modified. The latter features may be the key for the reported enhancement of Tc and the associated stabilization of the skyrmion phase at room temperature.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review B
- Pub Date:
- November 2020
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevB.102.201106
- arXiv:
- arXiv:2009.07577
- Bibcode:
- 2020PhRvB.102t1106N
- Keywords:
-
- Condensed Matter - Strongly Correlated Electrons
- E-Print:
- 13 pages, 4 figures, 1 table