The layer Hall effect: concepts, realizations, and recent advances

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Quantum Phenomena

Background:

• The layer Hall effect (LHE) arises from layer-blocked Berry curvature, inducing opposing transverse carrier deflections in distinct layers.
• LHE enables layer-resolved Hall responses, even when net signals cancel due to interlayer compensation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in the layer Hall effect (LHE).
• To discuss the fundamental physical mechanisms and prototypical systems exhibiting LHE.
• To highlight MnBi2Te4-based antiferromagnetic topological insulators as a key platform.

Main Methods:

• Review of theoretical proposals for LHE material platforms.
• Summary of experimental techniques for detecting LHE.
• Analysis of Berry curvature and interlayer coupling effects.

Main Results:

• Discussion of various theoretical platforms including MnBi2Te4 structures, topological insulator heterostructures, and altermagnetic systems.
• Experimental progress in observing both conventional and quantized layer-dependent Hall responses.
• Demonstration of LHE's potential in real space-resolved Berry phase engineering.

Conclusions:

• LHE offers significant potential for layertronics and multi-degree-of-freedom coupling in quantum materials.
• Future research directions include exploring quantized regimes and novel material systems.
• The review provides a comprehensive outlook on LHE's conceptual significance and future challenges.