Magnetic fluctuations and correlations in MnSi: Evidence for a chiral skyrmion spin liquid phase

Abstract

We present a comprehensive analysis of high-resolution neutron scattering data involving neutron spin echo spectroscopy and spherical polarimetry, which confirm the first-order nature of the helical transition in MnSi. The experiments reveal the existence of a totally chiral dynamic phase in a very narrow temperature range above T-C. This unconventional magnetic short-range order has a topology similar to that of a skyrmion liquid or the blue phases of liquid crystals. © 2011, American Chemical Society.