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arXiv · 2310.13909

Quantum theory of the magnetochiral anisotropy coefficient in ZrTe$_5$

Yi-Xiang Wang·Fuxiang Li
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Abstract

Recent experiments performed the nonreciprocal magneotransport in ZrTe$_5$ and obtained a giant magnetochiral anisotropy (MCA) coefficient $\gamma'$. The existing theoretical analysis was based on the semiclassical Boltzmann equation. In this paper, we develop a full quantum theory to calculate $\gamma'$ and further explore the underlying physics. We reveal that the $xz$-mirror symmetry breaking term also breaks the parity symmetry of the system and leads to mixed selection rules and nonvanishing second-order conductivity $\sigma_{xxx}$. The calculations show that $\gamma'$ decreases with the magnetic field, survives only to weak impurity scatterings, and exhibits a nonmonotonous dependence on the strength of the $xz$-mirror symmetry breaking. Our paper can provide a deeper insight into the intrinsic nonreciprocal magnetotransport phenomena in the topological semimetal material.

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Yi-Xiang Wang, Fuxiang Li. 2023-10-21. Quantum theory of the magnetochiral anisotropy coefficient in ZrTe$_5$. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.109.085202

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