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 language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 045115 |
| Journal | Physical Review B |
| Volume | 93 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 13 2016 |
| Externally published | Yes |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Condensed Matter Physics