Optical non-reciprocity in magnetic structures related to high-T_c superconductors

Journal Article · Thu Jun 02 00:00:00 EDT 2011 · Physical Review Letters

OSTI ID:1050651

Orenstein, Joseph W

Rotation of the plane of polarization of reflected light (Kerr effect) is a direct manifestation of broken time reversal symmetry and is generally associated with the appearance of a ferromagnetic moment. Here I identify magnetic structures that may arise within the unit cell of cuprate superconductors that generate polarization rotation despite the absence of a net moment. For these magnetic symmetries the Kerr effect is mediated by magnetoelectric coupling, which can arise when antiferromagnetic order breaks inversion symmetry. The structures identifed are candidates for a time-reversal breaking phase in the pseudogap regime of the cuprates.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Materials Sciences Division
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 1050651
• Report Number(s): LBNL-4831E; PRLTAO; TRN: US1204653
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters; ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
CUPRATES
KERR EFFECT
POLARIZATION
ROTATION
SUPERCONDUCTORS
SYMMETRY
Kerr effect
high-Tc superconductivity