In our recent paper “Synthesis and anisotropic magnetic properties of LiCrTe2 single crystals with a triangular-lattice antiferromagnetic structure,” Catherine, Sara and our collaborators have shed new light on the synthesis of LiCrTe2 single crystals and their unique magnetic properties. Using a Te/Li-flux synthesis method, we have successfully produced single crystals of this compound, exhibiting an unusual A-type antiferromagnetic structure and highly anisotropic properties.
Key findings include the identification of pronounced magnetic transition temperatures, significantly higher than those previously reported in polycrystalline samples. Neutron powder diffraction measurements backed by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations confirmed that the system is an easy axis, with moments oriented along the c-direction.
Our study further identified LiCrTe2 as highly anisotropic, showcasing a significant metamagnetic transition. Detailed magnetization measurements helped us to establish the magnetic phase diagram of this material, suggesting that LiCrTe2 offers potential for in-depth exploration of the relationship between crystal structure and magnetism, and could be applied in spin-based 2D devices. This work opens up a new avenue in the understanding and application of such unique magnetic materials.