Unconventional magneto-transport properties of the layered antiferromagnet Fe1/3NbS2

Recently, magnetically intercalated layered transition metal dichalcogenide Fe1/3NbS2 has attracted considerable attention due to its promise for spintronics applications, especially for the demonstration of reversible resistance switching by electrical stimulation below the antiferromagnetic transition temperature. Magneto-transport properties and their correlation to the underlying magnetic configurations are yet to be clarified in Fe1/3NbS2. Herein, we investigate the magneto-transport behavior of antiferromagnet Fe1/3NbS2, demonstrating a complex behavior of the magnetoresistance and unconventional Hall effect. The resistance of this compound displayed metallic behavior and an abrupt decrease at T-N. Of particular interest, the positive magnetoresistance is enhanced and it reaches a maximum in the vicinity of Neel temperature as a function of the out-of-plane magnetic field, which is in contrast to most of the antiferromagnets. Meanwhile, the Hall signal showed an unusual nonlinear field-dependence in the same temperature range. Moreover, the magnetoresistance exhibits a significant anisotropy, up to 14% near the Neel temperature. We attributed these unconventional magneto-transport behaviors to the field induced formation of a complex spin texture in Fe1/3NbS2. Our work motivates further efforts on antiferromagnetic spintronic devices based on this intercalated layered transition metal dichalcogenide.

Automated summary

Recently, the magnetically intercalated layered transition metal dichalcogenide Fe1/3NbS2 has gained considerable attention for its reversible resistance switching properties in spintronics applications. In this study, we investigate the magneto-transport behavior of antiferromagnet Fe1/3NbS2 and find complex magnetoresistance and unconventional Hall effect. The results reveal unconventional magneto-transport behaviors and the formation of a complex spin texture in Fe1/3NbS2.