We propose that non-collinear magnetic order in quantum magnets can harbor a novel higher-order topological magnon phase with non-Hermitian topology and hinge magnon modes. We consider a three-dimensional system of… Click to show full abstract
We propose that non-collinear magnetic order in quantum magnets can harbor a novel higher-order topological magnon phase with non-Hermitian topology and hinge magnon modes. We consider a three-dimensional system of interacting local moments on stacked-layers of honeycomb lattice. It initially favors a collinear magnetic order along an in-plane direction, which turns into a non-collinear order upon applying an external magnetic field perpendicular to the easy axis. We exploit the nonHermitian nature of the magnon Hamiltonian to show that this field-induced transition corresponds to the transformation from a topological magnon insulator to a higher-order topological magnon state with a one-dimensional hinge mode. As a concrete example, we discuss the recently-discovered monoclinic phase of the thin chromium trihalides, which we propose as the first promising material candidate of the higher-order topological magnon phase.
               
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