Ab Initio Theory of Optical Activity in α -Quartz in the G W -Bethe-Salpeter-Equation Framework
Abstract
We present an ab initio many-body theory of optical activity in solids within the GW approximation plus Bethe-Salpeter equation framework. Dielectric spatial dispersion is formulated in two complementary forms: exciton envelope modulation and sum-over-exciton-states expansion. Our application to α-quartz reveals that the envelope-modulated formulation captures the low-frequency region, whereas the sum-over-exciton-states formulation is essential to reproduce the correct full frequency dependence. Comparisons with the independent-particle approximation and simple local-field corrections further highlight the decisive role of excitonic many-body effects in shaping the spectral dispersion of optical activity in solids.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Solid-state spectroscopy and crystallography
Glass properties and applications
Earthquake Detection and Analysis
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Physical Review Letters
- Publisher
- American Physical Society (APS)
- Volume
- 136
- Issue
- 18
- Pages
- 186901–186901
- Publication date
- 6 April 2026
- Language
- EN