Understanding the origin of magnetoelastic coupling in AgCrS2 by IXS

AgCrS2 is a triangular-lattice antiferromagnet that undergoes a first-order transition at TN = 41.6 K, where magnetism, lattice distortion, and ferroelectricity become strongly intertwined. The resulting collinear spin arrangement is stabilized by magnetoelastic coupling, making the material an ideal platform to study spin–lattice interactions. Using high-resolution inelastic x-ray scattering, we aim to resolve the low-energy phonon spectrum of AgCrS2 and identify signatures of magnon–phonon hybridization, analogous to those observed in Mn3Ge. These results will clarify the microscopic origin of the magneto-structural transition and provide a broader framework for understanding multiferroicity in triangular-lattice sulfides.