Magnetic-field-induced FM-AFM metamagnetic transition and strong negative magnetoresistance in Mn\(_{1/4}\)NbS\(_2\) under pressure

• Published in: arXiv.org 2020-03
• Main Authors: Polesya, S, Mankovsky, S, Naumov, P G, ElGhazali, M A, Schnelle, W, Medvedev, S, Mangelsen, S, Bensch, W, Ebert, H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antiferromagnetism; Conduction electrons; Electronic structure; Ferromagnetism; First principles; Magnetic properties; Magnetism; Magnetoresistance; Magnetoresistivity; Mathematical analysis; Stability; Transition metal compounds; Transport properties
• ISSN: 2331-8422
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2003.11678

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) stand out with their high chemical stability and the possibility to incorporate a wide range of magnetic species between the layers. The behavior of conduction electrons in such materials intercalated by 3d-elements is closely related to their magnetic properties and can be sensitively controlled by external magnetic fields. Here, we study the magnetotransport properties of NbS\(_2\) intercalated with Mn, Mn\(_{1/4}\)NbS\(_2\), demonstrating a complex behavior of the magnetoresistance and of the ordinary and anomalous Hall resistivities. Application of pressure as tuning parameter leads to the drastic changes of the magnetotransport properties of Mn\(_{1/4}\)NbS\(_2\) exhibiting large negative magnetoresistance up to \(65 \%\) at 7.1 GPa. First-principles electronic structure calculations indicates pressure-induced transition from ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic state. Theoretical calculations accounting for the finite temperature magnetic properties of Mn\(_{1/4}\)NbS\(_2\) suggest a field-induced metamagnetic ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic transition as an origin of the large negative magentoresistance. These results inspire the development of materials for spintronic applications based on intercalated TMDC with a well controllable metamagnetic transition.