Magnetic anisotropy in MnGe thin films and its evolution under external magnetic fields

Chiral magnets have attracted considerable attention due to their intricate magnetic properties, among which B20 compounds constitute a quintessential class that has gained significant focus, particularly in the study of skyrmions. MnGe, as a member of the B20 family, exhibits a more complex magnetic structure compared with other materials with similar crystal structures. In this work, we successfully synthesized high-quality MnGe thin films and characterized their magnetoresistance, M–H curves, magneto-Seebeck effect, and magnetic force microscopy (MFM) images, all of which demonstrate pronounced magnetic anisotropy. Notably, the Seebeck coefficient exhibits a plateau at low magnetic fields when the magnetic field is applied in the film plane, indicating a field region in which the magnetic structure remains stable. MFM imaging further reveals magnetic transitions within the MnGe films when the magnetic field is oriented along the film plane. These findings are crucial for advancing our understanding of the magnetic ground state of MnGe and the evolution of its magnetic structure under an applied external magnetic field.