Symmetry-Breaking Magneto-Optical Effects in Altermagnets.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 41037813.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c03647.
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Abstract
The recently discovered altermagnets (AMs) are promising for novel spintronics, while experimentally distinguishing them, especially yet-synthesized two-dimensional candidates, from conventional antiferromagnets (AFMs) remains a challenge. Here, we investigate strain-engineered magneto-optical responses in AMs and reveal the underlying mechanism with a crystal-field picture. Symmetry analysis reveals that uniaxial strain can selectively break rotation or mirror symmetries in AMs while preserving <i>PT</i> symmetry in AFMs, thereby activating distinct magneto-optical responses (e.g., optical absorption and Kerr rotation) unique to AMs. First-principles calculations across prototypical systems, including a semiconducting V<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>2</sub>O monolayer and metallic CrSb bulk, show that the strain-induced optical signatures are significant enough for conventional optical measurements. Our work establishes a rapid, noninvasive characterization methodology for altermagnetism across material platforms, accelerating its exploration for spin-based technologies.