NONLINEAR INFRARED LIGHT-MATTER INTERACTIONS OF TOPOLOGICAL QUANTUM MATERIALS
Abstract
During the past decade, the explosive advance of discoveries of new topological materials has revealed the profound interplay between quantum phases and symmetries. In this proposal, we plan to develop and employ first-principles quantum-mechanics simulations to study the light-matter interactions, which are known to be sensitive to symmetries and quantum orders, and reveal the exotic many-electron correlations and enhanced photogalvanic effects induced by the unique symmetry breakings of emerging topological materials. We will start to develop first-principles many-body perturbation theory to study the excitonic correlation effects and infrared linear optical responses of magnetic topological materials. Focusing on the second-order light-matter interactions, we will develop a general framework based on quantum perturbation theory and employ it to predict photogalvanic effects in topological materials, including magnetic topological materials, Weyl semimetals, noncollinear antiferromagnetic Kagome lattices, and twisted moiré crystals. With the help of spin orders and spin-orbit coupling, novel photogalvanic effects can be realized in those emerging topological materials. These results will broaden the basic concepts of nonlinear light-matter interactions: new selection rules will be proposed, and enhanced spin photocurrents in nonmagnetic topological materials will be predicted. The research will provide a comprehensive picture about the interplay between photons, many-electron interactions, topological phases, and spin structures of solids. Meanwhile, the predicted optical signatures will work as powerful tools for experiments to detect and understand complex symmetries and topological phases. Finally, the proposed excitonic effects and enhanced photocurrents will give hope to optoelectronic and spintronic applications based on topological materials and spur broad research interests.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2021
- Source ID
- FA95502010255
Entities
People
- Li Yang
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- Washington University in St. Louis