Spin dynamics and charge excitations across the phase diagram of the novel Skyrmion lattice NdMn2Ge2

The combination of 4f and 3d elements in rare earth intermetallics can lead to coexistance of itinerant magnetism and strongly localized moments causing a variety of exotic properties. The ternary RMn2Ge2 compounds (R = rare earth), for instance, show complex magnetic orders on the manganese sublattice to temperatures far above 300 K. Recently, a giant topological Hall effect combined with the existence of skyrmions at room temperature and zero magnetic field was discovered in the well-know, noncollinear ferromagnet NdMn2Ge2. A better theoretical understanding of these systems requires experimental input on the magnetic exchange interactions and the symmetry and degree of localization/itinerancy of the involved 3d and 4f states. Here we propose a RIXS study of the spin dynamics and charge excitations on the Mn and Nd sublattices in NdMn2Ge2 to directly probe their evolution across the phase diagram.