High-temperature ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism in monolayer \ce{CrTe2}: Roles of strong spin-lattice coupling and charge doping

Abstract

The interplay of structural, electronic, and magnetic degrees of freedom governs phase stability and critical temperatures in two-dimensional magnets. Controlling this coupling is essential for advancing fundamental understanding and spintronic applications. Combining first-principles calculations with Heisenberg Monte Carlo simulations, we reveal a rich magnetic phase diagram governed by the interplay of lattice strain and carrier density. These results provide a unified framework that reconciles diverse experimental reports on epitaxial layers and predicts a novel double-stripe antiferromagnetic phase, further stabilized by electron doping. Moreover, structural and electronic perturbations enable room-temperature ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism. This magnetic evolution arises from competing, highly tunable direct and ligand-mediated exchange interactions in the presence of Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida coupling. By disentangling their individual contributions, we elucidate the underlying microscopic mechanisms, which transcends the conventional conduction electron picture. Finally, we quantify the colossal magnetoelastic response and identify zone-folded Raman modes that serve as unique experimental fingerprints for phase identification. Together, these results establish \ce{CrTe2} as a versatile platform for two-dimensional spintronics, where magnetic order and transition temperatures are tailorable via structural and electrical engineering.