Giant Magnetic Anisotropy in the Atomically Thin van der Waals Antiferromagnet FePS3

Van der Waals (vdW) magnets are an ideal platform for tailoring 2D magnetism with immense potential for spintronics applications and are intensively investigated. However, little is known about the microscopic origin of magnetic order in these antiferromagnetic systems. X-ray photoemission electron microscopy is used to address the electronic and magnetic properties of the vdW antiferromagnet FePS3 down to the monolayer. The experiments reveal a giant out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy of 22 meV per Fe ion, accompanied by unquenched magnetic orbital moments. Moreover, the calculations suggest that the Ising magnetism in FePS3 is a visible manifestation of spin-orbit entanglement of the Fe 3d electron system.

Automated summary

Van der Waals magnets are ideal for tailoring 2D magnetism, and this study investigates the microscopic origin of magnetic order in the antiferromagnetic system FePS3. The experiments reveal a giant out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy and unquenched magnetic orbital moments. Calculations suggest that the Ising magnetism in FePS3 is a manifestation of spin-orbit entanglement in the Fe 3d electron system.