Topology and geometry under the nonlinear electromagnetic spotlight

TL;DR

This review explores how nonlinear electromagnetic responses reveal the quantum geometric and topological properties of materials, advancing the understanding and control of novel quantum phases.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent theoretical developments, experimental breakthroughs, and material discoveries related to nonlinear responses driven by quantum geometry and topology.

Findings

Nonlinear responses directly probe quantum geometry and topology.

New experimental techniques enable control of quantum phases.

Materials with emergent topological and correlated properties are identified.

Abstract

For many materials, a precise knowledge of their dispersion spectra is insufficient to predict their ordered phases and physical responses. Instead, these materials are classified by the geometrical and topological properties of their wavefunctions. A key challenge is to identify and implement experiments that probe or control these quantum properties. In this review, we describe recent progress in this direction, focusing on nonlinear electromagnetic responses that arise directly from quantum geometry and topology. We give an overview of the field by discussing new theoretical ideas, groundbreaking experiments, and the novel materials that drive them. We conclude by discussing how these techniques can be combined with new device architectures to uncover, probe, and ultimately control novel quantum phases with emergent topological and correlated properties.