Dynamical axion field in a magnetic topological insulator superlattice

Jing Wang, Biao Lian, Shou Cheng Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

We propose that the dynamical axion field can be realized in a magnetic topological insulator superlattice or a topological paramagnetic insulator. The magnetic fluctuations of these systems produce a pseudoscalar field which has an axionic coupling to the electromagnetic field, and thus it gives a condensed-matter realization of the axion electrodynamics. Compared to the previously proposed dynamical axion materials where a long-range antiferromagnetic order is required, the systems proposed here have the advantage that only a uniform magnetization or a paramagnetic state is needed for the dynamic axion. We further propose several experiments to detect such a dynamical axion field.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number045115
JournalPhysical Review B
Volume93
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 13 2016
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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