Flexocurrent-induced magnetization: Strain gradient–induced magnetization in time-reversal symmetric systems
Phys. Rev. B 113, 184438 – Published 11 May, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/86xr-cnlf
Abstract
Symmetry constraints determine which physical responses are allowed in a given system. Magnetization induced by strain fields—such as in piezomagnetic and flexomagnetic effects—has typically been studied in materials that break time-reversal symmetry. Here, we propose that nonuniform strain can induce magnetization even in nonmagnetic metals and semiconductors that preserve time-reversal symmetry. This mechanism differs from the conventional flexomagnetic effect: the strain gradient acts as a driving force on the electrons, generating magnetization in a manner closely analogous to current-induced magnetization. Treating the strain field as an external field, we derive a general expression for the magnetization induced by a strain gradient and demonstrate that this response is symmetry-allowed even in time-reversal symmetric systems. We apply our formulation to nonmagnetic systems that lack spatial inversion symmetry while preserving time-reversal symmetry, using a decorated square lattice, monolayer , and monolayer Janus MoSSe as representative examples. We find a finite magnetization response to strain gradients which is consistent with symmetry arguments, supporting the validity of our theoretical framework. These results offer a pathway for controlling magnetization in nonmagnetic materials using strain fields.
