Atomic-scale spin sensing of a 2D d-wave altermagnet via helical tunneling

Abstract

Altermagnets simultaneously possess momentum-dependent nonrelativistic spin splitting and zero net magnetization (1-6). Their defining crystalline symmetry connects opposite-spin sublattices in real space and imposes alternating spin polarization on the symmetry-related electronic states in momentum space (1-3). Identifying such an order and its associated spin response therefore calls for atomic-scale spin-sensitive measurements in both real and momentum space, an experimental milestone yet to be achieved. Here we show that the helical edge modes of the higher-order topological insulator α-Bi₄Br₄ can serve as a spin-selective scanning tunnelling microscopy probe of the two-dimensional d-wave altermagnetic order in the surface layer of KV₂Se₂O. Atomically registered mapping reveals the spatial relationship between the two V sublattices and a density-wave lattice modulation, as well as real-space patterns consistent with the checkerboard antiferromagnetic order. Field-dependent spectroscopy further finds opposite energy shifts of the unidirectional quasiparticle excitations extending along two orthogonal crystal axes and a predominantly out-of-plane magnetic response. In momentum space, spin-sensitive quasiparticle interference imaging reveals a bias-reversing d-wave anisotropy between the symmetry-paired X and Y valleys. These results provide converging evidence for two-dimensional d-wave altermagnetism on the surface of KV₂Se₂O and demonstrate helical-edge-mode tunnelling as a route for atomic-scale spin sensing in quantum materials.

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