Topotactic Growth of Zintl Phase EuInAs Nanowires with Antiferromagnetic Behavior.

We demonstrate a topotactic transformation of zincblende InAs(Sb) nanowires into the Zintl phase EuInAs through a vapor-solid mutual exchange process involving Eu and In in molecular beam epitaxy. This conversion preserves the polyhedral coordination lattice of the parent InAs(Sb) structure while inducing orthorhombic symmetry in the product phase, EuInAs, of which quasi-one-dimensional [InAs] chains with tetrahedral sites align along the ⟨110⟩ direction of zincblende structure. Local and global magnetic characterization identified two distinct antiferromagnetic phase transitions at approximately 7 and 16 K in EuInAs nanowires, potentially classified as altermagnetic phases.

Topotaxial mutual-exchange growth of magnetic Zintl EuInAs nanowires with axion insulator classification.

Due to quasi-one-dimensional confinement, nanowires possess unique electronic properties, which can promote specific device architectures. However, nanowire growth presents paramount challenges, limiting the accessible crystal structures and elemental compositions. Here we demonstrate solid-state topotactic exchange that converts wurtzite InAs nanowires into Zintl EuInAs.