Spin-orbit control of antiferromagnetic domains without a Zeeman coupling

Abstract

Encoding information in antiferromagnetic (AFM) domains is a promising solution for the ever growing demand in magnetic storage capacity. The absence of a macroscopic magnetization avoids crosstalk between different domain states, enabling ultrahigh density spintronics¹ while being detrimental to the domain detection and manipulation. Disentangling these merits and disadvantages seemed so far unattainable. We report evidence for a new AFM domain selection mechanism based on non-Zeeman susceptibility anisotropy induced by the relative orientation of external magnetic fields to the k-domains. Consequently, the charge transport response is controlled by the rotation of the magnetic field and a pronounced anisotropic magnetoresistance is found in the AFM phase of bulk materials Nd_1−xCe_x CoIn₅. Our results and the domain switching theory² indicate that this constitutes a new effect which might be universal across multiband materials. It provides a novel mechanism to control and detect AFM domains opening new perspectives for AFM sprintronics.