Electric-Field-Induced Antiferromagnetic Insulating State in a Metallic Ferromagnet

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that a static electric field can induce a transition from a ferromagnetic metal to an antiferromagnetic insulator through electron Bloch oscillations, revealing a novel nonperturbative insulating mechanism.

Contribution

It introduces a new electric-field-driven phase transition mechanism in magnetic materials, distinct from traditional localization effects.

Findings

Electric field causes transition to antiferromagnetic insulator

Steady-state current inversely proportional to electric field

Proposes experimental realization with terahertz pulses

Abstract

We show that a static electric field induces the transition from a ferromagnetic metal to an antiferromagnetic insulator owing to the Bloch oscillation of conduction electrons. In the steady state, the electric current is inversely proportional to the applied electric field, implying the nonperturbative insulating nature that is different from the Wannier-Stark localization. Possible experimental realization based on recent terahertz pulse sources is discussed.