Abstract
Multiferroics (MFs) are materials with two or more ferroic orders, like spontaneous ferroelectric and ferromagnetic polarizations. Such materials can exhibit a magnetoelectric effect whereby magnetic and ferroelectric polarizations couple linearly, reminiscent of, but not identical to the electromagnetic $\mathbit{E}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}\mathbit{B}$ axion coupling. Here we point out a possible mechanism in which an external dark matter axion field couples linearly to ferroic orders in these materials without external applied fields. We find the magnetic response to be linear in the axion-electron coupling. At temperatures close to the ferromagnetic transition fluctuations can lead to an enhancement of the axion-induced magnetic response. Relevant material candidates such as the Lu-Sc hexaferrite family are discussed.
Highlights
Dark matter (DM) is believed to comprise over three quarters of the universe’s mass-density, yet so far it eludes detection in spite of the intensive search using numerous detection schemes [1]
In this paper we have considered coupling between axion dark matter and macroscopic orders in multiferroics
The proposed scheme fits into the growing set of proposals to use quantum materials where the symmetry of the ground state enables the coupling between the axion and matter fields
Summary
Dark matter (DM) is believed to comprise over three quarters of the universe’s mass-density, yet so far it eludes detection in spite of the intensive search using numerous detection schemes [1]. One approach is relying on the sensor device being placed in external electric (E), magnetic (B), or both fields simultaneously, whereby one breaks time reversal (T ) and parity (P) to induce coupling to the axion field Another approach is to use systems that take advantage of spontaneous symmetry breaking Erational for the numerous detection schemes relying on the macroscopically coherent states ranging from ferromagnets to superfluid/superconducting condensates and MFs. To discuss multiferroics as a proposed platform in this context we will use the acronym MERMAID (multiferroic matter axion detector). This term allows for a novel axion DM detection scheme: Impinging axions will hybridize and directly couple with ferroic orders in MFs without requiring an intermediate photon coupling This coupling between the axion field and matter fields (with P M) is a bulk effect.
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