DOI

Polarized neutron scattering experiments have demonstrated that Dy/Y multilayer structures possess a coherent spin helix with a preferable chirality induced by the magnetic field. The average chirality, being proportional to the difference in the left- and right-handed helix population numbers, is measured as a polarization-dependent asymmetric part of the magnetic neutron scattering. The magnetic field applied in the plane of the sample upon cooling below TN is able to repopulate the otherwise equal population numbers for the left- and right-handed helixes. The experimental results strongly indicate that the chirality is caused by Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction due to the lack of the symmetry inversion on the interfaces.

Язык оригиналаанглийский
Номер статьи197203
ЖурналPhysical Review Letters
Том100
Номер выпуска19
DOI
СостояниеОпубликовано - 16 мая 2008

    Предметные области Scopus

  • Физика и астрономия (все)

ID: 86430103