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arXiv · 2308.04484

Landau Theory of Altermagnetism

Paul A. McClarty·Jeffrey G. Rau
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Abstract

We formulate a Landau theory for altermagnets, a class of colinear compensated magnets with spin-split bands. Starting from the non-relativistic limit, this Landau theory goes beyond a conventional analysis by including spin-space symmetries, providing a simple framework for understanding the key features of this family of materials. We find a set of multipolar secondary order parameters connecting existing ideas about the spin symmetries of these systems, their order parameters and the effect of non-zero spin-orbit coupling. We account for several features of canonical altermagnets such as RuO$_2$, MnTe and CuF$_2$ that go beyond symmetry alone, relating the order parameter to key observables such as magnetization, anomalous Hall conductivity and magneto-elastic and magneto-optical probes. Finally, we comment on generalizations of our framework to a wider family of exotic magnetic systems deriving from the zero spin-orbit coupled limit.

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Paul A. McClarty, Jeffrey G. Rau. 2023-08-08. Landau Theory of Altermagnetism. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.132.176702

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