Changing MnTe’s Shape With Tiny Surface Tweaks

Scientists found a way to decide which crystal shape of manganese telluride (MnTe) grows on indium phosphide (InP) wafers. By slightly altering the surface atoms of the InP, they can choose between two almost identical structures: a hexagonal “altermagnetic” form and a cubic, non‑symmetric form. The hexagonal version, stable in bulk, forms when the InP surface ends with indium atoms. The cubic version, which matches well with common III‑V materials and has a wide band gap, grows on a phosphorous‑terminated surface.Techniques like electron microscopy and X‑ray photoemission confirm that the decision happens right at the interface and then spreads across the film. Computer simulations show that the type of surface atoms and the strain they impose change the energy at the interface, making one structure more favorable than the other. Producing clean, pure films of each form will help scientists explore their unique magnetic and electronic properties, opening doors to new spin‑based devices and advanced microelectronics.