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    DC spin current driven by low-frequency light in altermagnets

    Yihua Xiao1, Ruizhi Dong1, Xiaomu Wang2,3,*, and Ruixiang Fei1,4,†

    • 1Key Laboratory of Advanced Optoelectronic Quantum Architecture and Measurement (MOE), School of Physics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
    • 2Beijing Key Laboratory for Precision Optoelectronic Measurement Instrument and Technology, School of Optics and Photonics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
    • 3School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
    • 4Beijing Key Laboratory of Quantum Matter State Control and Ultra-Precision Measurement Technology, School of Physics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China

    • *Contact author: xiaomu.wang@nju.edu.cn
    • †Contact author: rfei@bit.edu.cn

    Phys. Rev. B 114, 014405 – Published 1 July, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/3j6x-397h

    Abstract

    Efficient generation of DC spin-polarized currents via light is a promising route toward ultrafast spintronics, yet remains challenging. Here, we show that altermagnets, a class of antiferromagnets with symmetry-driven spin splitting, can generate DC spin currents via the nonlinear spin Hall effect. Using a three-dimensional Hubbard model, we identify the Berry curvature dipole as the dominant source of the nonlinear response, while the first-order quantum-metric-like term yields only ac spin currents. The contribution from the Berry connection polarizability is found to vanish in the absence of spin-orbit coupling. A comprehensive symmetry analysis of all noncentrosymmetric spin point groups, supported by first-principles calculations for CuFeS2, establishes altermagnets as a robust platform for pure spin-current generation. The predicted second-order spin-current conductivity reaches the mA/V2 range, demonstrating experimental feasibility and highlighting the promise of altermagnets for ultrafast spintronics, including terahertz applications.

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