Quantum mechanics

Ferromagnetism

Electric dipole moment

Plasma

Electric field

Classical mechanics

Physics

Dipole

Magnetic moment

Condensed matter physics

Moment (physics)

Electric current

Toroid

Journal of the Physical Society of Japan

An electric ferro-axial moment, which is characterized by a nonzero expectation value of a time-reversal-even axial vector, exhibits distinct spatial-inversion and time-reversal properties from conventional ferroelectric, ferromagnetic, and ferro-magnetoelectric orders. Nevertheless, physical properties characteristic of the electric ferro-axial moment have been obscure owing to the absence of its conjugate electromagnetic fields. We theoretically investigate consequences of the presence of the ferro-axial moment on the basis of the symmetry and microscopic model analyses. We show that atomic-scale electric toroidal multipoles are the heart of the ferro-axial moment, which act as a nanometric rotator against external stimuli. Furthermore, we propose an intrinsic generation of a spin current parallel to an applied electric field in both metals and insulators. Our results not only provide a deep microscopic understanding of the role of the ferro-axial moment but also stimulate a new development for functional materials with use of the electric toroidal moment.

Electric Ferro-Axial Moment as Nanometric Rotator and Source of Longitudinal Spin Current