arXiv · 2512.12343
Theory of local orbital magnetization: local Berry curvature
Abstract
We develop a thermodynamic theory of local orbital magnetization based on a perturbative expansion of the magnetic-field-dependent local density of states. Applicable to periodic crystals, finite systems with open boundaries, and ribbons alike, the formalism resolves orbital magnetic textures at the sublattice scale. It further reveals a previously unidentified local Berry curvature that captures the magnetic-field-induced redistribution of electronic weight in real space. We establish the consistency of the theory across geometries, identify orbital ferro-, antiferro-, and ferrimagnetic phases in both topological and trivial insulators, and demonstrate that the local Berry curvature provides a bulk description of topology in finite systems.
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Sariah Al Saati, Karyn Le Hur, Frédéric Piéchon. 2025-12-13. Theory of local orbital magnetization: local Berry curvature. https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.12343
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