Changes of Magnetism in a Magnetic Insulator due to Proximity to a Topological Insulator

Phys Rev Lett. 2020 Jul 3;125(1):017204. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.125.017204.

Abstract

We report the modification of magnetism in a magnetic insulator Y_{3}Fe_{5}O_{12} thin film by topological surface states (TSS) in an adjacent topological insulator Bi_{2}Se_{3} thin film. Ferromagnetic resonance measurements show that the TSS in Bi_{2}Se_{3} produces a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, results in a decrease in the gyromagnetic ratio, and enhances the damping in Y_{3}Fe_{5}O_{12}. Such TSS-induced changes become more pronounced as the temperature decreases from 300 to 50 K. These results suggest a completely new approach for control of magnetism in magnetic thin films.