Magnetic parity violation and parity-time-reversal-symmetric magnets

J Phys Condens Matter. 2024 Jun 19;36(37). doi: 10.1088/1361-648X/ad52dd.

Abstract

Parity-time-reversal symmetry (PTsymmetry), a symmetry for the combined operations of space inversion (P) and time reversal (T), is a fundamental concept of physics and characterizes the functionality of materials as well asPandTsymmetries. In particular, thePT-symmetric systems can be found in the centrosymmetric crystals undergoing the parity-violating magnetic order which we call the odd-parity magnetic multipole order. While this spontaneous order leavesPTsymmetry intact, the simultaneous violation ofPandTsymmetries gives rise to various emergent responses that are qualitatively different from those allowed by the nonmagneticP-symmetry breaking or by the ferromagnetic order. In this review, we introduce candidates hosting the intriguing spontaneous order and overview the characteristic physical responses. Various off-diagonal and/or nonreciprocal responses are identified, which are closely related to the unusual electronic structures such as hidden spin-momentum locking and asymmetric band dispersion.

Keywords: antiferromagnetic spintronics; locally noncentrosymmetric system; nonreciprocal; superconductivity; 𝒫-symmetry.

Publication types

  • Review