Though collinear-type antiferromagnets are fundamental building blocks of antiferromagnetic (AFM) spintronics, the potential utilization of non-collinear-type antiferromagnets for spintronic functionality has not been elucidated thus far. Here we suggest an AFM helimagnet of EuCo2As2 as a novel spintronic material, revealing an unconventional sign-changing behavior of anisotropic magnetoresistance. This contrast arises from electrically distinctive dual magnetic phases. Further, various AFM memory states regarding magnetic-phase evolution were identified by combining experimental and theoretical results. Our findings based on a unique type of AFM order are useful for the development of AFM spintronics, which has been driven by new materials.
- Jong Hyuk Kim
- Hyun Jun Shin
- Young Jai Choi