Litcius/Paper detail

Ferroelectrics Drive Topological Magnon Transitions and Valley Transport

Yingxi Bai, Bo Yuan, Zhiqi Chen, Ying Dai, B. Huang, Xiaotian Wang, Chengwang Niu

2026Physical Review Letters12 citationsDOI

Abstract

Topological magnons offer unique opportunities for low-dissipation spin transport, but achieving nonvolatile control over their topological states remains a significant challenge. Here, using a Heisenberg-Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya model and symmetry analysis, we propose a ferroelectrically tunable magnonic platform that enables reversible switching among three distinct topological phases: a second-order topological magnon insulator, a topological magnon insulator, and a normal magnon insulator. This transition is characterized by the simultaneous emergence and reversal of spontaneous magnon valley polarization. We further identify the Ti_{3}I_{8} monolayer with a breathing kagome lattice as a promising material platform that supports electric-field-driven topological switching and reversal of spontaneous magnon valley polarization, as confirmed by first-principles calculations. Notably, this material platform also hosts electrically controllable valley-dependent magnonic transport, including valley Hall and valley Nernst effects. This Letter establishes topological magnons as a functional bridge linking ferroelectricity with magnon cornertronic and magnon valleytronic responses.

Topics & Concepts

MagnonTopology (electrical circuits)PhysicsCondensed matter physicsNernst effectLattice (music)Nernst equationSymmetry (geometry)FerroelectricityTopological orderSpin (aerodynamics)Topological defectTopological insulatorTopological degeneracyT-symmetryTopological entropy in physicsTopological Materials and PhenomenaMagnetic properties of thin filmsChemical and Physical Properties of Materials