Giant Nonreciprocal Band Structure Effect in a Multiferroic Material
Multiferroic materials, combining ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism, can host complex band phenomena. Using density functional theory and symmetry analysis, we identify the multiferroic EuO as a prototypical system exhibiting a giant, switchable nonreciprocal band structure effect, that is an asymmetry in electronic bands at special points in the Brillouin zone, enabled by spin-orbit coupling. In particular, our results highlight the crucial role of magnetic symmetries---beyond inversion and time-reversal breaking. Ultimately, the predicted effect leads to a colossal bulk photovoltaic response, with injection currents far exceeding those in known oxides, enabling new cross-functionalities.
Authors
- Srdjan Stavrić (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2097-0955)
- Álvaro R. Puente-Uriona (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1915-8804)
- Julen Ibañez-Azpiroz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0922-0926)
- Silvia Picozzi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3232-788X)
- Paolo Barone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7222-8627)
- Baishun Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5646-6748)
- Giuseppe Cuono (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1550-5429)
- Andrea Droghetti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4106-7327)
Institutions
- Ca' Foscari University of Venice (IT)
- University of Belgrade (RS)
- Material Physics Center (ES)
- Institute of Economic Sciences (RS)
- Consorzio Roma Ricerche (IT)
- Donostia International Physics Center (ES)
- University of Milano-Bicocca (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Physical Review Letters
- Published
- 2025-11-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1103/15ws-ftbf
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Material Science and Thermodynamics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.71