Work

Phonon angular momentum transfer torque

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: Angular momentum in solids is carried by (quasi)particles such as magnons, plasmons, and phonons, and coupling between these reservoirs enables diverse hybrid phenomena. Here, we introduce the transfer of angular momentum from lattice vibrations to magnetic order through the phonon angular momentum transfer torque (PAMTT), generated by a polarized phonon bath. We identify thermal routes for generating phonon angular momentum: a phonon Edelstein accumulation in noncentrosymmetric crystals and temperature-gradient-induced PAM currents with longitudinal Seebeck-like and transverse Hall components. Using realistic order-of-magnitude estimates, we find that PAMTT could produce measurable ferromagnetic-resonance frequency shifts and, for favorable interfacial coupling, drive magnetization reversal on nanosecond timescales.

Source: arXiv (Cornell University)

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2609.32575

Authors: Brehm, Verena, Lopez, Daniel A. Bustamante, Zhang, Shu, Juraschek, Dominik

Institutions: Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Fribourg, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University

Language: English

Topic: Magnetic properties of thin films

Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara

Awards: G3398237449, G4689434848, Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics

OpenAlex ID: W7214484932

Cites: 4

Cited by:

Related to: 10