Nonlinear anomalous Edelstein response at altermagnetic interfaces

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Mattia Trama - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, Würzburg-Dresden Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat, University of Salerno (Author)
  • Irene Gaiardoni - , University of Salerno (Author)
  • Claudio Guarcello - , University of Salerno, National Institute for Nuclear Physics (Author)
  • Jorge I. Facio - , Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica (Author)
  • Alfonso Maiellaro - , University of Salerno (Author)
  • Francesco Romeo - , University of Salerno, National Institute for Nuclear Physics (Author)
  • Roberta Citro - , University of Salerno, National Institute for Nuclear Physics (Author)
  • Jeroen van den Brink - , Clusters of Excellence ct.qmat: Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)

Abstract

In altermagnets, time-reversal symmetry breaking spin polarizes electronic states, while total magnetization remains zero. In addition, at altermagnetic surfaces Rashba–spin orbit coupling is activated due to broken inversion symmetry, introducing a competing spin-momentum locking interaction. Here we show that their interplay leads to the formation of complex, chiral spin textures that offer nonlinear spin-to-charge conversion properties. Whereas altermagnetic order suppresses the canonical linear in-plane Rashba-Edelstein response, we establish the presence of an anomalous transversal Edelstein effect for planar applied electric and magnetic field or, alternatively, an in-plane magnetization. Additionally, we predict a purely electric-field-driven nonlinear out-of-plane magnetization. We compute the anomalous response within a general altermagnet d-wave model, with parameters extracted from the ab initio electronic structure of an altermagnetic bilayer. Our results suggest altermagnetic surfaces as a promising platform for unconventional spintronic functionalities.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number184404
JournalPhysical Review B
Volume112
Issue number18
Publication statusPublished - 3 Nov 2025
Peer-reviewedYes