Spin resistivity in a metallic channel induced by antiferromagnetic approximation effect

This study presents experimental evidence of a potential alteration in the spin configuration of a conducting channel induced by the proximity effect of a highly frustrated antiferromagnetic insulator. Dicopper chloride trihydroxide Cu₂(OH)₃Cl was employed as the highly frustrated antiferromagnetic insulator, while copper (Cu) served as the normal metal counterpart. Upon applying a voltage of 70 V to the sample volume, a copper conductive channel emerged within the antiferromagnetic insulator matrix. Literature reports indicate that Cu₂(OH)₃Cl undergoes two magnetic transitions at T_N1 ~ 18 K and T_N2 ~ 6.4 K. Notably, an increase in resistance was experimentally observed precisely at the magnetic transition temperatures of Cu₂(OH)₃Cl. This observation gains particular interest when considering the potential formation of a singlet state among the conductive channel spins influenced by the magnetism of Cu₂(OH)₃Cl. Consequently, speculation arises that frustration might act as a 'glue' facilitating the establishment of the singlet state within the conductive channel. (author)