Destructive Interference of a Charge Density Wave in the Skyrmion Magnet GdRu2Si2

Abstract

In skyrmion magnets, charge density waves induce higher-order exchange interactions that can select multi-Q ground states. Using resonant X-ray scattering and neutron diffraction, we measure temperature-dependent spin-charge coupling in GdRu2Si2. A minimal Landau model with one critical exponent and two ordering temperatures reproduces all six observed order parameters. Spin-density wave components of the multi-Q ground state drive charge ordering, but the onset of a magnetic helix suppresses it via destructive interference.