Quantum Christoffel Nonlinear Magnetization

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Qiang, Xiao-Bin, Liu, Xiaoxiong, Lu, Hai-Zhou, Xie, X. C.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Qiang, Xiao-Bin
Liu, Xiaoxiong
Lu, Hai-Zhou
Xie, X. C.
author_facet Qiang, Xiao-Bin
Liu, Xiaoxiong
Lu, Hai-Zhou
Xie, X. C.
contents The Christoffel symbol is an essential quantity in Einstein's general theory of relativity. We discover that an electric field can induce a nonlinear magnetization in quantum materials, described by a Christoffel symbol defined in the Hilbert space of quantum states (quantum Christoffel symbol). Quite different from the previous scenarios, this orbital magnetization does not need spin-orbit coupling and inversion symmetry breaking. Through symmetry analysis and first-principles calculations, we identify a number of point groups and 2D material candidates (e.g., BiF$_3$, ZnI$_2$, and Ru$_4$Se$_5$) that host this quantum Christoffel nonlinear magnetization. More importantly, this nonlinear magnetization allows the quantum Christoffel symbol to be probed by optical techniques such as magneto-optical Kerr spectroscopy or transport measurements such as tunneling magneto-resistance. This quantum Christoffel nonlinear magnetization gives a paradigm of how geometry dictates physics.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2602_03597
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Quantum Christoffel Nonlinear Magnetization
Qiang, Xiao-Bin
Liu, Xiaoxiong
Lu, Hai-Zhou
Xie, X. C.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
The Christoffel symbol is an essential quantity in Einstein's general theory of relativity. We discover that an electric field can induce a nonlinear magnetization in quantum materials, described by a Christoffel symbol defined in the Hilbert space of quantum states (quantum Christoffel symbol). Quite different from the previous scenarios, this orbital magnetization does not need spin-orbit coupling and inversion symmetry breaking. Through symmetry analysis and first-principles calculations, we identify a number of point groups and 2D material candidates (e.g., BiF$_3$, ZnI$_2$, and Ru$_4$Se$_5$) that host this quantum Christoffel nonlinear magnetization. More importantly, this nonlinear magnetization allows the quantum Christoffel symbol to be probed by optical techniques such as magneto-optical Kerr spectroscopy or transport measurements such as tunneling magneto-resistance. This quantum Christoffel nonlinear magnetization gives a paradigm of how geometry dictates physics.
title Quantum Christoffel Nonlinear Magnetization
topic Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.03597