Unusual Magnetic Features in Two-Dimensional Fe5GeTe2 Induced by Structural Reconstructions

Recent experiments on Fe5GeTe2 suggested the presence of a symmetry breaking of its conventional crystal structure. Here, using density functional theory calculations, we elucidate that the stabilization of the (root 3 X root 3)R30 degrees supercell structure is caused by the swapping of Fe atoms occurring in the monolayer limit. The swapping to the vicinity of Te atoms is facilitated by the spontaneous occurrence of Fe vacancy and its low diffusion barrier. Our calculated magnetic exchange parameters show the simultaneous presence of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic exchange among a particular type of Fe atom. The Fe sublattice projected magnetization obtained from Monte Carlo simulations dearly demonstrates an exotic temperature-dependent behavior of this Fe type along with a large canting angle at T = 0 K, indicating the presence of a complex noncollinear magnetic order. We propose that the low-temperature crystal structure results from the swapping between two sublattices of Fe, giving rise to peculiar magnetization obtained in experiments.

Automated summary

Recent experiments on Fe5GeTe2 revealed a symmetry breaking in its crystal structure. Density functional theory calculations showed that the stabilization of the (root 3 X root 3)R30 degrees supercell structure is caused by the swapping of Fe atoms in the monolayer limit. Magnetic exchange parameters indicate the presence of both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic exchange among a specific type of Fe atom. Monte Carlo simulations showed a temperature-dependent behavior and large canting angle at T = 0 K, suggesting a complex noncollinear magnetic order resulting from the swapping between Fe sublattices.