Light-induced Magnetization by Quantum Geometry
Abstract
We propose a mechanism for the inverse Faraday and the inverse Cotton--Mouton effects arising from quantum geometry, characterized by the quantum metric quadrupole and the weighted quantum metric. Within a semiclassical framework based on the Boltzmann transport theory, we establish a general formalism describing light-induced magnetization in electronic systems as a second-order response to the electric field of light. Using continuum and tight-binding models, we discuss the symmetry constraints on these effects and estimate the magnitudes of the resulting magnetizations. Our results highlight a direct manifestation of quantum-geometric quantities in nonlinear magneto-optical responses and suggest a viable pathway for experimental detection.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Topological Materials and Phenomena
Advanced Condensed Matter Physics
Quantum and electron transport phenomena
Publication details
- Journal / source
- arXiv (Cornell University)
- Publication date
- 14 January 2026
- Document type
- Preprint