Magnetic frustration-driven ground state properties of rare-earth magnetic ions on a breathing kagome lattice: a review of the Gd3Ru4Al12 structure type magnets

Abstract

The Gd₃Ru₄Al₁₂ structure type compounds, where the rare-earth magnetic ions form a breathing kagome lattice present a promising material landscape for exploring the various magnetic frustration-driven exotic states of matter. Here, we highlight the various magnetic, thermodynamic, and transport properties of several of the Gd₃Ru₄Al₁₂ structure type magnets and provide intuitive insights into their rich electronic and magnetic ground states. The realization of key properties such as spin trimerization and skyrmion textures accompanied by a large topological (geometrical) Hall effect (THE) in some of these compounds is currently at the heart of several research endeavors searching for efficient data storage and spintronic devices. Features such as helical ordering and anomalous Hall effect (AHE) arising from the formation of Berry curvature by the Weyl fermions present an open window to tuning the electron spins for several practical applications. Therefore, these compounds are projected as promising candidates for investigating several other topological phases of matter accessible through the interplay of the degree of frustration and crystal field symmetry of the rare-earth ions.

Keywords:

• Gd₃Ru₄Al₁₂ structure type
• breathing kagome lattice
• magnetic frustration
• topological Hall effect
• Skyrmion lattice

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

AMS thanks the SA-NRF (93549) and the URC and FRC of UJ.