Search arXivSearch

arXiv · 2605.22294

Odd-Parity Chiral Magnons in Collinear Antiferromagnetic Multiferroics

Abstract

Odd-parity magnetism represents an intriguing frontier in unconventional magnets; however, its realization has traditionally relied on noncollinear magnetic orders accompanied by broken spin conservation, which inevitably causes spin relaxation and dissipative transport of spin-encoded information. Here, we uncover a distinct route toward spin-conserving odd-parity magnon splitting enabled by antichiral Haldane-like flux (AHF) in collinear antiferromagnetic multiferroics. Symmetry analysis reveals that such AHF driven by intra-sublattice Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions (DMI) gives rise to symmetry-dependent odd-parity magnon splittings, ranging from $p$-wave and $f$-wave to nodeless forms. Moreover, the coupling between ferroelectric modes and DMI provides an electric-field knob for manipulating chiral band splitting and magnon transport. Combining density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we identify a series of promising candidate materials in both 2D and bulk antiferromagnetic multiferroics. Our work provides new insights into the realization of odd-parity chiral magnons in collinear antiferromagnets and magnetoelectric coupling mechanisms in multiferroics.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Quanchao Du, Zhenlong Zhang, Yuanjun Jin, Rui Li, Haibo Xie, Zhe Wang, Zhijun Jiang, Lei Zhang, Hongjian Zhao, Jinyang Ni. 2026-08-22. Odd-Parity Chiral Magnons in Collinear Antiferromagnetic Multiferroics. https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.22294

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

Incommensurate structural and magnetic modulations in potassium-rich cryptomelane, K$_x$Mn$_8$O$_{16}$ ($x\approx1.45$)

Cryptomelane is a hollandite-like material consisting of K$^+$ cations in an $α$-MnO$_2$ tunnel-like crystallographic motif. Cryptomelane with stoichiometry K$_x$Mn$_8$O$_{16}$ ($x\approx1.45$) has been synthesized and its magnetic properties investigated using variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity, and neutron powder diffraction. Three distinct transitions at $T_1=184$\,K, $T_2=54.5$\,K, and $T_3=24$\,K are observed. At $T_1$ there is a subtle tetragonal$\rightarrow$monoclinic transition associated with emergence of a set of non-magnetic superstructure peaks indexable to a $\vec{k}_\mathrm{struc}\approx0.74\vec{c^*}$ incommensurate modulation parallel to the $α$-MnO$_2$ tunnels. Our findings are consistent with a relation previously reported in titanate hollandites, that $x\approx2|\vec{k}_\mathrm{struc}|$. Magnetic Bragg peaks emerge below $T_2=54.5$\,K, and their positions indicate an incommensurate modulated magnetic structure. The model consistent with the data is a dual-$\vec{k}_\mathrm{mag}$ structure with a ferromagnetic $|\vec{k}_\mathrm{mag}|=0$ component and an incommensurate $\vec{k}_\mathrm{mag}\approx0.37\vec{c^*}$, with the latter most likely to be helical. The period of oscillation of the incommensurate magnetic component is in line with predictions based on a Heisenberg spin Hamiltonian [Mandal \textit{et al}. Phys. Rev. B 90, 104420 (2014)]. Below $T_3=24$\,K, there is a magnetic transition, which gives rise to a different set of magnetic Bragg peaks indicative of a highly complex magnetic structure.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

An anisotropic functional for two-dimensional material systems

Density function theory is the workhorse of modern electronic structure theory. However, its accuracy in practical calculations is limited by the choice of the exchange-correlation potential. In this respect, two-dimensional materials pose a special challenge, as all these materials and their heterostructures have a crucial similarity. The underlying atomic structures are strongly spatially inhomogeneous, implying that current exchange-correlation functionals, that in almost all cases are isotropic, are ill-prepared for an accurate description. We present an anisotropic screened-exchange potential, that remedies this problem and reproduces the band-gap of 2D materials as well as the piecewise linearity of the total energy with fractional occupation number.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Thermally-driven reorientation of the Néel vector in altermagnetic MnTe

Altermagnets are novel magnetic systems that possess a spin-polarized electronic band structure without a net magnetic moment, making them promising for device applications. Hexagonal MnTe, a prototypical altermagnet, arguably exhibits the most properties consistent with theoretical predictions, including an anomalous Hall effect despite a vanishing net magnetization, and altermagnetinduced electronic band splitting. However, fundamental questions remain, including why some effects only appear significantly below the magnetic ordering temperature. Here, we resolve this discrepancy by revealing a reorientation of the Néel vector in single-crystalline MnTe. The Néel vector points 30° from the a-axis at low $T$, before aligning directly with the a-axis around $T\simeq 260$ K. We attribute this to single-ion anisotropy, which depends on temperature-dependent lattice parameters. We obtained these results using muon-spin spectroscopy, magnetization measurements, and X-ray diffraction; we show that the findings are consistent with neutron diffraction. Manipulating this effect, for example through strain, could unlock sensitive electronic detection schemes for external stimuli, paving the way for functional altermagnetic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci