Theory of optical axion electrodynamics and application to the Kerr effect in topological antiferromagnets

Ahn, Junyeong; Xu, Su-Yang; Vishwanath, Ashvin

doi:10.1038/s41467-022-35248-8

Title: Theory of optical axion electrodynamics and application to the Kerr effect in topological antiferromagnets

Journal Article · Fri Dec 09 00:00:00 EST 2022 · Nature Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-35248-8· OSTI ID:1902779

;

; Vishwanath, Ashvin

Abstract Emergent axion electrodynamics in magneto-electric media is expected to provide novel ways to detect and control material properties with electromagnetic fields. However, despite being studied intensively for over a decade, its theoretical understanding remains mostly confined to the static limit. Here, we introduce a theory of axion electrodynamics at general frequencies. We define a proper optical axion magneto-electric coupling through its relation to optical surface Hall conductivity and provide ways to calculate it in lattice systems. By employing our formulas, we show that axion electrodynamics can lead to a significant Kerr effect in thin-film antiferromagnets at wavelengths that are seemingly too long to resolve the spatial modulation of magnetism. We identify the wavelength scale above which the Kerr effect is suppressed. Our theory is particularly relevant to materials like MnBi ₂ Te ₄ , a topological antiferromagnet whose magneto-electric response is shown here to be dominated by the axion contribution even at optical frequencies.

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Research Organization:: Ames Lab., Ames, IA (United States); Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Center for Advancement of Topological Semimetals (CATS)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-07CH11358

OSTI ID:: 1902779

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1915385

Report Number(s):: IS-J-10,984; 7615; PII: 35248

Journal Information:: Nature Communications, Journal Name: Nature Communications Vol. 13 Journal Issue: 1; ISSN 2041-1723

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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Title: Theory of optical axion electrodynamics and application to the Kerr effect in topological antiferromagnets

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