Antiferromagnetism in two-dimensional materials: progress and computational challenges

Abstract

We present a perspective on the status of antiferromagnetism in two-dimensional (2D) materials. Various types of spin-compensated orders are discussed and include non-collinear order, spin spirals and altermagnetism. Spin–orbit effects ultimately determine, whether compounds exhibit long range order, Kosterlitz-Thouless physics, or multiferroic properties and we discuss the basic magnetic prototypes that may arise in 2D materials depending on the magnetic anisotropy and ordering vector. A summary of 2D antiferromagnets that have been characterized experimentally is provided—with particular emphasis on magnetic anisotropies and Neel temperatures. We then outline the ingredients needed to describe the magnetic properties using density functional theory. In particular, the systematic determination of magnetic ground states from the generalized Bloch theorem and the magnetic force theorem, which may be used to calculate magnetic excitations from the Heisenberg model with parameters determined from first principles. The methods are exemplified by application to the monolayer helimagnet NiBr2. Finally, we present a summary of predicted and prospective 2D antiferromagnets and discuss the challenges associated with the prediction of Néel temperatures from first principles.