Switchable axionic magnetoelectric effect via spin-flop transition in topological antiferromagnets
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arXiv
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| Autores principales: | , , , , , |
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| Formato: | Preprint |
| Publicado: |
2025
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| _version_ | 1866915563087855616 |
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| author | Fan, Yiliang Zhu, Rongxiang Zhu, Tongshuai Zhao, Jianzhou Wang, Huaiqiang Zhang, Haijun |
| author_facet | Fan, Yiliang Zhu, Rongxiang Zhu, Tongshuai Zhao, Jianzhou Wang, Huaiqiang Zhang, Haijun |
| contents | The MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ material family has emerged as a key platform for exploring magnetic topological phases, most notably exemplified by the experimental realization of the axion insulator state. While spin dynamics are known to significantly influence the axion state, a profound understanding of their interplay remains elusive. In this work, we employ an antiferromagnetic spin-chain model to demonstrate that an external magnetic field induces extrinsic perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. We find that an in-plane field stabilizes the antiferromagnetic order, whereas an out-of-plane field destabilizes it and triggers spin-flop transitions. Remarkably, near the surface spin-flop transition in even-layer MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ films, the axion insulator state undergoes a sharp switching behavior accompanied by distinct magnetoelectric responses. Furthermore, we propose that this switchable axionic magnetoelectric effect can be utilized to convert alternating magnetic field signals into measurable square-wave magneto-optical outputs, thereby realizing an axionic analog of a zero-crossing detector. Our findings could open a pathway toward potential applications of axion insulators in next-generation spintronic devices. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2510_16760 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Switchable axionic magnetoelectric effect via spin-flop transition in topological antiferromagnets Fan, Yiliang Zhu, Rongxiang Zhu, Tongshuai Zhao, Jianzhou Wang, Huaiqiang Zhang, Haijun Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics The MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ material family has emerged as a key platform for exploring magnetic topological phases, most notably exemplified by the experimental realization of the axion insulator state. While spin dynamics are known to significantly influence the axion state, a profound understanding of their interplay remains elusive. In this work, we employ an antiferromagnetic spin-chain model to demonstrate that an external magnetic field induces extrinsic perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. We find that an in-plane field stabilizes the antiferromagnetic order, whereas an out-of-plane field destabilizes it and triggers spin-flop transitions. Remarkably, near the surface spin-flop transition in even-layer MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ films, the axion insulator state undergoes a sharp switching behavior accompanied by distinct magnetoelectric responses. Furthermore, we propose that this switchable axionic magnetoelectric effect can be utilized to convert alternating magnetic field signals into measurable square-wave magneto-optical outputs, thereby realizing an axionic analog of a zero-crossing detector. Our findings could open a pathway toward potential applications of axion insulators in next-generation spintronic devices. |
| title | Switchable axionic magnetoelectric effect via spin-flop transition in topological antiferromagnets |
| topic | Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.16760 |