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Field induced positional shift of Bloch electrons and its dynamical implications
Yang Gao1, Shengyuan A Yang2, Qian Niu3
1Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|May 13, 2014
Summary
We derived a field correction to Berry curvature in Bloch electrons, accounting for positional shifts from electromagnetic fields. This advances semiclassical dynamics and predicts new nonlinear Hall effects.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Mechanics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Berry curvature describes electron motion in crystals.
- External fields can alter electron behavior through interband mixing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive the field correction to Berry curvature.
- To analyze the impact of electromagnetic fields on Bloch electron dynamics.
- To explore applications in magnetoelectric polarizability and nonlinear Hall effects.
Main Methods:
- Derivation of field correction to Berry curvature.
- Analysis of semiclassical dynamics up to second order in external fields.
- Application to orbital magnetoelectric polarizability and nonlinear anomalous Hall effects.
Main Results:
- A positional shift in Bloch electrons due to interband mixing was identified.
- Semiclassical dynamics were accurately described to second order in external fields.
- Predictions for nonlinear anomalous Hall effects were made.
Conclusions:
- The derived field correction refines understanding of electron dynamics under external fields.
- The study provides a theoretical framework for predicting novel electromagnetic responses in materials.
- This work has implications for designing materials with tailored electronic properties.
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