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Main Authors: Ren, Yafei, Rudner, Mark, Xiao, Di
Format: Preprint
Published: 2023
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2308.00933
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author Ren, Yafei
Rudner, Mark
Xiao, Di
author_facet Ren, Yafei
Rudner, Mark
Xiao, Di
contents Spin-phonon coupling enables the mutual manipulation of phonon and spin degrees of freedom in solids. In this study, we reveal the inherent nonlinearity within this coupling. Using a paramagnet as an illustration, we demonstrate the nonlinearity by unveiling spontaneous symmetry breaking under a periodic drive. The drive originates from linearly polarized light, respecting a mirror reflection symmetry of the system. However, this symmetry is spontaneously broken in the steady state, manifested in the emergence of coherent chiral phonons accompanied by a nonzero magnetization. We establish an analytical self-consistent equation to find the parameter regime where spontaneous symmetry breaking occurs. Furthermore, we estimate realistic parameters and discuss potential materials that could exhibit this behavior. Our findings shed light on the exploration of nonlinear phenomena in magnetic materials and present possibilities for on-demand control of magnetization.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2308_00933
institution arXiv
publishDate 2023
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Light Driven Spontaneous Phonon Chirality and Magnetization in Paramagnets
Ren, Yafei
Rudner, Mark
Xiao, Di
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Spin-phonon coupling enables the mutual manipulation of phonon and spin degrees of freedom in solids. In this study, we reveal the inherent nonlinearity within this coupling. Using a paramagnet as an illustration, we demonstrate the nonlinearity by unveiling spontaneous symmetry breaking under a periodic drive. The drive originates from linearly polarized light, respecting a mirror reflection symmetry of the system. However, this symmetry is spontaneously broken in the steady state, manifested in the emergence of coherent chiral phonons accompanied by a nonzero magnetization. We establish an analytical self-consistent equation to find the parameter regime where spontaneous symmetry breaking occurs. Furthermore, we estimate realistic parameters and discuss potential materials that could exhibit this behavior. Our findings shed light on the exploration of nonlinear phenomena in magnetic materials and present possibilities for on-demand control of magnetization.
title Light Driven Spontaneous Phonon Chirality and Magnetization in Paramagnets
topic Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2308.00933