- Editors' Suggestion
- Letter
Spin-ferroelasticity coupling in nonrelativistic spin-split antiferromagnetic-ferroelastic systems
Phys. Rev. B 113, L020411 – Published 16 January, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/t774-62jc
Abstract
Traditionally, the effect of the time-reversal operator during ferroelastic phase transition has been overlooked, as the transition is mechanically driven and relies solely on pure point group operations. Here, we propose nonrelativistic spin-split antiferromagnetic-ferroelastic systems, in which the existence of specific F-operators (a combination of rotation around an axis perpendicular to the spins in the spin space and spatial point group operation) can induce spin-flipping phenomena during the transition. Unlike the traditional spin modulation mechanism that depends on the coupling between ferroelastic and magnetic orders, this system enables spin reversal without any change of the magnetic order. By investigating all collinear spin groups and their subgroups, we demonstrate the symmetry constraints and systematically classify all ferroelastic species capable of inducing spin reversal in conjunction with ferroelastic phase transitions. First-principles calculations indicate that two-dimensional serves as an exemplary material for exploring this ferroelastic phase. Furthermore, we suggest that such materials may be utilized to develop innovative multiferroic ferroelastic tunnel junctions. Our findings provide new insights into the understanding of ferroelastic phase as well as new ways to realize nonrelativistic spin-split antiferromagnetic-ferroelastic devices.