Linear Magnetoelectric Phase in Ultrathin MnPS_{3} Probed by Optical Second Harmonic Generation

Abstract

The transition metal thiophosphates MPS_{3} (M=Mn, Fe, Ni) are a class of van der Waals stacked insulating antiferromagnets that can be exfoliated down to the ultrathin limit. MnPS_{3} is particularly interesting because its Néel ordered state breaks both spatial-inversion and time-reversal symmetries, allowing for a linear magnetoelectric phase that is rare among van der Waals materials. However, it is unknown whether this unique magnetic structure of bulk MnPS_{3} remains stable in the ultrathin limit. Using optical second harmonic generation rotational anisotropy, we show that long-range linear magnetoelectric type Néel order in MnPS_{3} persists down to at least 5.3 nm thickness. However an unusual mirror symmetry breaking develops in ultrathin samples on SiO_{2} substrates that is absent in bulk materials, which is likely related to substrate induced strain. © 2020 American Physical Society