TbMn6Sn6 exhibits a spin-reorientation transition above 310K, which could allow for switching of topological magnetic properties. Here, Riberolles et al use inelastic neutron scattering techniques to study this spin reorientation transition showing that it is driven by the orbital dynamics of the Tb ions, which can be described by a quantum two-state orbital model. On short timescales, the material behaves as a classical magnetic binary alloy, while on longer timescales, this averages out to a homogenous system with some average anisotropy.
- S. X. M. Riberolles
- Tyler J. Slade
- R. J. McQueeney
