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arXiv · 2607.04975

Optical switching of antiferromagnetic domains by nonreciprocal heat current

Takeshi Hayashida·Shunsuke Izumikawa·Kenta Kimura·Carl S. Davies·Andrei Kirilyuk
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Abstract

What distinguishes front from back? In physics, such directionality emerges only when an underlying symmetry is broken. Antiferromagnets that inherently break both space-inversion and time-reversal symmetries provide a striking example, exhibiting nonreciprocal optical responses that depend on the direction of light propagation. Beyond distinguishing antiferromagnetic domains, we show that this nonreciprocity can deterministically create them. Using mid-infrared light, we demonstrate deterministic switching of antiferromagnetic domains in the magnetoelectric antiferromagnet LiFePO4, where illumination from opposite sides selectively stabilizes opposite domain states. Remarkably, the switching persists over a broad wavelength range rather than being confined to a narrow transition-specific spectral region, overcoming the spectral and material constraints of resonance-based optical switching schemes. The broadband switching originates from the material's intrinsic nonreciprocity through optically generated heat currents. Our results establish nonreciprocity as a general principle for deterministically controlling symmetry-broken phases with light.

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Takeshi Hayashida, Shunsuke Izumikawa, Kenta Kimura, Carl S. Davies, Andrei Kirilyuk. 2026-07-06. Optical switching of antiferromagnetic domains by nonreciprocal heat current. https://arxiv.org/abs/2607.04975

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