Investigating the Optical and Magnetic Interplay in MnPS₃—Temperature-Dependent Optical Spectroscopy and Structural Insights

Transition metal phosphorus trichalcogenides with the formula MPX₃ (where M = V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cd, Mg, or Zn and X = S or Se), gain more and more interest, as it is a novel category of 2D van der Waals antiferromagnetic semiconductors, exhibiting stable intrinsic ordering even in monolayer or few-layer form [1][2]. Such materials have much to offer, and one of most interesting thing about them is correlation between magnetic and optical properties. It holds significant promise in the realm of magneto-optics and magnetic storage applications [3][4].

In this research, complex relationship between these properties has been studied in MnPS₃. The bulk sample has been carefully investigated in temperature dependence, using advanced optical methods such as absorption and photoreflectance, in conjunction with X-ray diffraction. Results have been compared with those derived from density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The four primary optical transitions were determined and described with changing temperature, showing magnetic phase transitions and their impact on lattice parameters change and optical spectra. The precise determination of these transitions and broadening parameters demonstrates the sensitivity of photoreflectance to magnetic phase transitions, potentially serving as a novel marker for such transitions.

These results highlights the importance of further exploration of the optical and magnetic behaviors not only in MnPS₃, but also MPX₃ family, to discover whole potential of these layered materials in future advanced technological implementations, particularly in spintronics and magneto-optical technologies [3][4].

[1] J.-U. Lee, S. Lee, J. H. Ryoo, S. Kang, T. Y. Kim, P. Kim, C.-H. Park, J.-G. Park and H. Cheong, Nano Lett., 2016, 16, 7433–7438
[2] S. Y. Lim, K. Kim, S. Lee, J.-G. Park and H. Cheong, Current Applied Physics, 2021, 21, 1–5.
[3] N. Sivadas, S. Okamoto and D. Xiao, Phys. Rev. Lett., 2016, 117, 267203
[4] P. Němec, M. Fiebig, T. Kampfrath and A. V. Kimel, Nature Physics, 2018, 14, 229–241