Electro-optic Kerr Effect Induced by Nonlinear Transport in monolayer WTe2

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Li, He-Lin, Zhu, Zhen-Gang, Su, Gang
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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_version_ 1866915389757194240
author Li, He-Lin
Zhu, Zhen-Gang
Su, Gang
author_facet Li, He-Lin
Zhu, Zhen-Gang
Su, Gang
contents The nonlinear Hall effect (NLHE) can induce optical anisotropy by modifying a material's dielectric tensor, presenting opportunities for novel characterization and device applications. While the magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) probes the linear Hall effect (LHE) in magnetic materials, an analogous optical probe for NLHE in non-magnetic, time-reversal symmetric systems remains highly desirable. Here, we theoretically propose and investigate an NLHE-induced Electro-optic Kerr Effect (EOKE) as such a probe. Focusing on monolayer (ML) WTe$_2$, a prototypical NLHE material, our analysis considers contributions from Berry curvature dipole (BCD), Drude, injection, and shift mechanisms. We demonstrate that the EOKE signal in WTe$_2$ is predominantly governed by the BCD. Furthermore, the Kerr angle exhibits temporal oscillations at different optical frequencies, suggesting EOKE as a promising route for the time-resolved detection of NLHE and the dynamic investigation of material topology.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2507_10309
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Electro-optic Kerr Effect Induced by Nonlinear Transport in monolayer WTe2
Li, He-Lin
Zhu, Zhen-Gang
Su, Gang
Other Condensed Matter
Materials Science
The nonlinear Hall effect (NLHE) can induce optical anisotropy by modifying a material's dielectric tensor, presenting opportunities for novel characterization and device applications. While the magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) probes the linear Hall effect (LHE) in magnetic materials, an analogous optical probe for NLHE in non-magnetic, time-reversal symmetric systems remains highly desirable. Here, we theoretically propose and investigate an NLHE-induced Electro-optic Kerr Effect (EOKE) as such a probe. Focusing on monolayer (ML) WTe$_2$, a prototypical NLHE material, our analysis considers contributions from Berry curvature dipole (BCD), Drude, injection, and shift mechanisms. We demonstrate that the EOKE signal in WTe$_2$ is predominantly governed by the BCD. Furthermore, the Kerr angle exhibits temporal oscillations at different optical frequencies, suggesting EOKE as a promising route for the time-resolved detection of NLHE and the dynamic investigation of material topology.
title Electro-optic Kerr Effect Induced by Nonlinear Transport in monolayer WTe2
topic Other Condensed Matter
Materials Science
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.10309