Magnetic Weyl semimetals: Interplay of band topology and magnetism

TL;DR

This review discusses the topological electronic properties and magnetic phenomena in Weyl semimetals, highlighting their unique electromagnetic responses and potential applications in low-dissipation electronics and spintronics.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the recent theoretical and experimental advances in magnetic Weyl semimetals, emphasizing the interplay of band topology and magnetism.

Findings

Topological properties lead to anomalous Hall and chiral magnetic effects.

Magnetic textures influence Weyl electron behavior, causing spinmotive forces.

Magnetotransport phenomena like domain wall magnetoresistance are significant.

Abstract

We review recent theoretical and experimental developments in magnetic Weyl semimetals, focusing on the electromagnetic responses emerging from the interplay of their electronic band topology and magnetism. We begin by introducing the fundamental topological properties of the electrons in Weyl semimetals, and provide an overview of the characteristic phenomena arising from their band topology, such as the anomalous Hall effect and chiral magnetic effect. The materials exhibiting the magnetic Weyl semimetal state, with ferromagnetic ordering, antiferromagnetic ordering, etc., are listed. The possible mechanisms for their magnetism are discussed in connection with the Weyl electrons. Non-uniform magnetic textures and magnetization dynamics are expected to exhibit a topological interplay with the Weyl electrons, manifesting as spinmotive force and spin torques. We also review the magnetotransport phenomena such as domain wall magnetoresistance, studied by mesoscopic scale calculations. Finally, we mention the spin transport properties studied in magnetic Weyl semimetals. The topological nature of Weyl electrons reviewed here is important not only for fundamental physics, but also for the potential application to low-dissipative electronics and spintronics devices.