seed projects

Chris Leighton, Turan Birol: Fundamental Exploration of the Altermagnetic Candidate Troilite FeS

(a) Phase diagram in the vicinity of FeS. (b) Structural phase transition of near-stoichiometric FeS from temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction.

The goal of the Seed project is to explore, both experimentally and theoretically, the fundamental magnetic behavior of FeS, which has recently emerged as a candidate altermagnet. Such altermagnets represent a new class of magnetic materials, with exciting application potential in spintronics. This is a complex materials system, however, due to a sequence of structural and magnetic phase transitions, and the proximity between troilite FeS and the complex defect-ordered phases of pyrrhotite FeS_1+x (see Figure). The goal of this seed is to establish the impact of fine-tuned stoichiometry on the structural and magnetic properties of FeS, providing an essential base for advanced studies of altermagnetic phenomena.

Funded by the National Science Foundation through the University of Minnesota MRSEC under Award Number DMR-2011401