Axion physics in condensed-matter systems

Nenno DM, Garcia CAC, Gooth J, Felser C, Narang P (2020)

Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

Nature Reviews Physics Springer Nature

Book Volume: 2

Pages Range: 682-696

Journal Issue: 12

DOI: 10.1038/s42254-020-0240-2

Abstract

Axions are hypothetical particles that were proposed to solve the strong charge–parity problem in high-energy physics. Although they have long been known in quantum field theory, axions have so far not been observed as elementary particles in nature. Yet, in condensed-matter systems, axions can also emerge as quasiparticles in certain materials such as strong topological insulators. The corresponding axion field is expected to lead to exciting physical phenomena in condensed-matter systems, such as a fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect, the chiral anomaly, exotic Casimir–Lifshitz repulsion and a linear magnetoelectric response quantized in units of the fine-structure constant. First signatures of electronic states that permit axion dynamics have been reported in condensed-matter systems. In this Review, we explore the concepts that introduce axion fields in condensed-matter systems and present experimental findings. We discuss predicted and realized material systems, the prospects of using axion electrodynamics for next-generation devices and the search for axions as a possible constituent of dark matter.

Involved external institutions

Harvard University US United States (USA) (US) Max-Planck-Institut für Chemische Physik fester Stoffe (MPI CPfS) / Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Nenno, D.M., Garcia, C.A.C., Gooth, J., Felser, C., & Narang, P. (2020). Axion physics in condensed-matter systems. Nature Reviews Physics, 2(12), 682-696. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42254-020-0240-2

MLA:

Nenno, Dennis M., et al. "Axion physics in condensed-matter systems." Nature Reviews Physics 2.12 (2020): 682-696.

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