Anisotropic and Temperature-Independent Magnetic Susceptibility Peak in MoSe1.8Te0.2 van der Waals Layers

Abstract

Temperature-independent susceptibility peaks were identified under an out-of-plane magnetic field in layered MoSe_1.8Te_0.2. Raman spectroscopy was employed to analyze the vibrational modes associated with the 1T and 2H phases. The oxidation states of Mo, Se, and Te were determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, confirming the presence of both phases. A hysteresis loop, along with a magnetic moment splitting between zero-field-cooled and field-cooled states, was observed under an out-of-plane magnetic field. In contrast, no susceptibility peaks or signatures of ferromagnetism were detected when an in-plane magnetic field was applied. The observed susceptibility peaks in our samples were correlated with ferromagnetic behavior. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy revealed that the susceptibility peak originates from ferromagnetism induced by lattice misalignment.