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Dryad

Imaging orbital ferromagnetism in a moire Chern insulator

Cite this dataset

Tschirhart, Charles et al. (2021). Imaging orbital ferromagnetism in a moire Chern insulator [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.25349/D9JC8B

Abstract

Electrons in moire flat band systems can spontaneously break time reversal symmetry, giving rise to a quantized anomalous Hall effect. Here we use a superconducting quantum interference device to image stray magnetic fields in twisted bilayer graphene aligned to hexagonal boron nitride. We find a magnetization of several Bohr magnetons per charge carrier, demonstrating that the magnetism is primarily orbital in nature. Our measurements reveal a large change in the magnetization as the chemical potential is swept across the quantum anomalous Hall gap consistent with the expected contribution of chiral edge states to the magnetization of an orbital Chern insulator. Mapping the spatial evolution of field-driven magnetic reversal, we find a series of reproducible micron scale domains, pinned to structural disorder.  

Methods

This dataset contains scanning SQUID measurements and electronic transport measurements of a twisted bilayer graphene sample supporting an orbital Chern magnet phase.  The scanning SQUID measurements were collected using a cryogenic nanoSQUID microscope.  

Usage notes

Relevant metadata is included in the plotting scripts and described in context.  

Funding

National Science Foundation, Award: 1650114

United States Department of Energy, Award: DE-SC0020043

United States Army Research Office, Award: W911NF-16-1-0361

Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Award: GBMF9471

Hertz Foundation

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Award: JP20H00354

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Award: JPMXP0112101001

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Award: JPMXP0112101001

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Award: JPMJCR15F3