Emergence of dual axion response in condensed matter

TL;DR

This paper predicts the emergence of a dual axion electromagnetic response in a model condensed matter system with antiferromagnetic spins, supported by simulations and candidate materials.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of dual axion response in condensed matter, expanding the understanding of magneto-electric effects beyond conventional axion phenomena.

Findings

Prediction of dual axion response in a spin system

Numerical simulations support the emergence of dual axion fields

Candidate materials proposed for experimental realization

Abstract

Recently, it was predicted that nonreciprocal magneto-electric effect in antiferromagnetic multilayered metamaterials occurs in two distinct versions. One is the conventional axion response, while another one is dual axion response captured by electrodynamics with magnetic charge. Here we investigate a model condensed matter system of spins coupled through antiferromagnetic exchange interaction and derive its effective electromagnetic properties. We predict that this system gives rise to the emergent dual axion field, support our conclusion by numerical simulations and put forward candidate materials.