Photoinduced 120-degree spin order in the Kondo-lattice model on a triangular lattice

TL;DR

This paper predicts that photoexcitation in a Kondo-lattice model on a triangular lattice can induce a stable 120-degree noncollinear spin order, revealing a new way to optically create complex magnetic phases.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical prediction of photoinduced 120-degree spin order as a nonequilibrium steady state in a triangular Kondo-lattice system, expanding the understanding of optically driven magnetic phases.

Findings

Photoexcitation causes band structure reconstruction and electron redistribution.

The 120-degree spin order forms with domain structures and $Z_2$ vortices.

Conditions for observing the phase depend on light parameters, electron filling, and coupling strengths.

Abstract

We theoretically predict the emergence of 120-degree spin order as a nonequilibrium steady state in the photodriven Kondo-lattice model on a triangular lattice. In the system away from the half filling with ferromagnetic ground state, the photoexcitation of conduction electrons and the photoinduced renormalization of bandwidth cause reconstruction of band structure and subsequent redistribution of the electrons through relaxations, which result in an electronic structure similar to that in the half-filled system at equilibrium, where the 120-degree spin order is stabilized. In this photoinduced 120-degree spin ordered phase, domains of different spin-ordered planes are formed, and vortices of spin chirality vectors called $Z_2$ vortices appear at points where multiple domains meet. We also discuss favorable conditions and experimental feasibility to observe the predicted photoinduced magnetic phase transition by investigating dependencies on the light parameters (amplitude, frequency, and polarization), the electron filling, the strength of Kondo coupling, and the effects of antiferromagnetic coupling among the localized spins. Photoinduced magnetic structures proposed so far have been limited to simple collinear (anti)ferromagnetic orders or local magnetic defects in magnets. The present work paves a way to optical creation of complex noncollinear magnetisms as global nonequilibrium steady phase in photodriven systems.