Quantum field theory of topological spin dynamics

TL;DR

This paper develops a comprehensive quantum field theory for topological spin dynamics in magnetic systems, unifying various phenomena and predicting new effects like the topological magnetoelectric response.

Contribution

It introduces a gauge field framework for describing topological and universal properties of quantum magnets and magnetic metals, linking spin and electronic topological phenomena.

Findings

Characterizes skyrmion and hedgehog lattices and their responses.

Predicts a topological magnetoelectric effect in certain materials.

Proposes a unifying gauge theory for spin and electronic topological effects.

Abstract

We develop a field theory of quantum magnets and magnetic (semi)metals, which is suitable for the analysis of their universal and topological properties. The systems of interest include collinear, coplanar and general non-coplanar magnets. At the basic level, we describe the dynamics of magnetic moments using smooth vector fields in the continuum limit. Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction is captured by a non-Abelian vector gauge field, and chiral spin couplings related to topological defects appear as higher-rank antisymmetric tensor gauge fields. We distinguish type-I and type-II magnets by their equilibrium response to the non-Abelian gauge flux, and characterize the resulting lattices of skyrmions and hedgehogs, the spectra of spin waves, and the chiral response to external perturbations. The general spin-orbit coupling of electrons is similarly described by non-Abelian gauge fields, including higher-rank tensors related to the electronic Berry flux. Itinerant electrons and local moments exchange their gauge fluxes through Kondo and Hund interactions. Hence, by utilizing gauge fields, this theory provides a unifying physical picture of ``intrinsic'' and ``topological'' anomalous Hall effects, spin-Hall effects, and other correlations between the topological properties of electrons and moments. We predict ``topological'' magnetoelectric effect in materials prone to hosting hedgehogs. Links to experiments and model calculations are provided by deriving the couplings and gauge fields from generic microscopic models, including the Hubbard model with spin-orbit interactions. We establish the possible existence of novel quantum spin liquids that exhibit a fractional magnetoelectric effect, and discuss a few applications to topological magnetic conductors like Mn$_3$Sn and Pr$_2$Ir$_2$O$_7$.