학술논문

The quantum metric of electrons with spin-momentum locking
Document Type
Working Paper
Source
Subject
Condensed Matter - Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Condensed Matter - Materials Science
Condensed Matter - Strongly Correlated Electrons
Language
Abstract
Quantum materials are characterized by electromagnetic responses intrinsically linked to the geometry and topology of the electronic wavefunctions. These properties are encoded in the quantum metric and Berry curvature. While Berry curvature-mediated transport effects such as the anomalous and nonlinear Hall effects have been identified in several magnetic and nonmagnetic systems, quantum metric-induced transport phenomena remain limited to topological antiferromagnets. Here we show that spin-momentum locking -- a general characteristic of the electronic states at surfaces and interfaces of spin-orbit coupled materials -- leads to a nontrivial quantum metric. This metric activates a nonlinear in-plane magnetoresistance that we measure and electrically control in 111-oriented LaAlO$_3$/SrTiO$_3$ interfaces. These findings demonstrate the existence of quantum metric effects in a vast class of materials and provide new strategies to design functionalities based on the quantum geometry.
Comment: Submitted on May 8th, 2024. Currently under review