Quantum field theory of topological spin dynamics

Journal Article · Thu Aug 20 00:00:00 EDT 2020 · Physical Review B

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.102.075131· OSTI ID:1803706

Nikolić, Predrag  ^[1]

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1. George Mason Univ., Fairfax, VA (United States); Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (United States); Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Institute for Quantum Matter (IQM)

Here, we develop a field theory of quantum magnets and magnetic (semi)metals, which is suitable for the analysis of their universal and topological properties. The systems of interest include collinear, coplanar, and general noncoplanar magnets. At the basic level, we describe the dynamics of magnetic moments using smooth vector fields in the continuum limit. Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction is captured by a non-Abelian vector gauge field, and chiral spin couplings related to topological defects appear as higher-rank antisymmetric tensor gauge fields. We distinguish type-I and type-II magnets by their equilibrium response to the non-Abelian gauge flux, and characterize the resulting lattices of skyrmions and hedgehogs, the spectra of spin waves, and the chiral response to external perturbations. The general spin-orbit coupling of electrons is similarly described by non-Abelian gauge fields, including higher-rank tensors related to the electronic Berry flux. Itinerant electrons and local moments exchange their gauge fluxes through Kondo and Hund interactions. Hence, by utilizing gauge fields, this theory provides a unifying physical picture of “intrinsic” and “topological” anomalous Hall effects, spin-Hall effects, and other correlations between the topological properties of electrons and moments. We predict “topological” magnetoelectric effect in materials prone to hosting hedgehogs. Links to experiments and model calculations are provided by deriving the couplings and gauge fields from generic microscopic models, including the Hubbard model with spin-orbit interactions. Much of the formal analysis is generalized to d spatial dimensions in order to access the $$π_{d–1}(S^{d–1})$$ homotopy classification of the magnetic hedgehog topological defects, and establish the possibility of novel quantum spin liquids that exhibit a fractional magnetoelectric effect. However, we emphasize the form of all results in the physically relevant $$\textit{d}$$ = 3 dimensions, and discuss a few applications to topological magnetic conductors like Mn₃Sn and Pr₂Ir₂O₇.

• Research Organization: Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (United States); Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Institute for Quantum Matter (IQM)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); National Science Foundation (NSF)
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0019331; PHY-1607611
• OSTI ID: 1803706
• Journal Information: Physical Review B, Vol. 102, Issue 7; ISSN 2469-9950
• Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
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