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Published on: May 15, 2017
Topological Phase Transition Driven by In-Plane Spin Rotation
Xinyue Zhu1, Yu Xie1, Yifei Hao1
1School of Materials Science and Physics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China.
Abstract:
The intrinsic coupling between magnetism and nontrivial band topology in magnetic topological insulators makes external magnetic fields a powerful tool for manipulating topological states. However, conventional magnetic control mechanisms, such as driving magnetic phase transitions or fully reversing magnetization, typically demand large magnetic fields and lack continuous tunability. Here, we establish a symmetry framework for the reversible switching of topological states via continuous in-plane spin rotation, governed by magnetic point group constraints on the Berry curvature distribution. Using a two-dimensional kagome ferromagnetic Chern insulator as a prototype, we demonstrate that a 60° in-plane magnetization rotation reverses the sign of the Chern number, transitioning through a topologically trivial state. Crucially, micromagnetic simulations confirm that this spin-reorientation-driven switching operates under exceptionally small magnetic fields and on ultrafast time scales. This work provides a highly efficient, low-energy paradigm for the manipulation of topological states.
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