Electron localization/delocalization in incommensurate helical magnets

TL;DR

This paper investigates how electronic wavefunctions in incommensurate helical magnets can be either localized or extended along the helical axis, influenced by orbital, wavenumber, and spin rotation plane, highlighting complex localization phenomena.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical analysis of electron localization and delocalization in incommensurate helical magnets considering relativistic spin-orbit interaction and multi-band effects.

Findings

Electronic wavefunctions exhibit both localized and extended behaviors.

Localization depends on orbital, helical wavenumber, and spin rotation plane.

Possible physical realizations of localization are discussed.

Abstract

The electronic states in incommensurate (IC) helical magnets are studied theoretically from the viewpoint of the localization/delocalization. It is found that in the multi-band system with relativistic spin-orbit interaction, the electronic wavefunctions show both the extended and localized natures along the helical axis depending on the orbital, helical wavenumber, and the direction of the plane on which spins rotate. Possible realization of this localization is discussed.