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Light-matter coupling via quantum pathways for spontaneous symmetry breaking in van der Waals antiferromagnetic semiconductors

Author

Listed:
  • Kyung Ik Sim

    (Sungkyunkwan University
    Sungkyunkwan University
    Yonsei University)

  • Jae Hoon Kim

    (Yonsei University)

  • Byung Cheol Park

    (Sungkyunkwan University
    Sungkyunkwan University
    Institute for Basic Science (IBS))

Abstract

Light-matter interaction simultaneously alters both the original material and incident light. Light not only reveals material details but also activates coupling mechanisms. The coupling has been demonstrated mechanically, for instance, through the patterning of metallic antennas, resulting in the emergence of plasmonic quasiparticles and enabling wavefront engineering of light via the generalized Snell’s law. However, quantum-mechanical light-matter interaction, wherein photons coherently excite distinct quantum pathways, remains poorly understood. Here, we report on quantum interference between light-induced quantum pathways through the orbital quantum levels and spin continuum. The quantum interference immediately breaks the symmetry of the hexagonal antiferromagnetic semiconductor FePS3. Below the Néel temperature, we observe the emergence of birefringence and linear dichroism, namely, quantum anisotropy due to quantum interference, which is further enhanced by the thickness effect. We explain the direct relevance of the quantum anisotropy to a quantum phase transition by spontaneous symmetry breaking in Mexican hat potential. Our findings suggest material modulation via selective quantum pathways through quantum light-matter interaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Kyung Ik Sim & Jae Hoon Kim & Byung Cheol Park, 2025. "Light-matter coupling via quantum pathways for spontaneous symmetry breaking in van der Waals antiferromagnetic semiconductors," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57777-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57777-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. J. D. Joannopoulos & Pierre R. Villeneuve & Shanhui Fan, 1997. "Photonic crystals: putting a new twist on light," Nature, Nature, vol. 386(6621), pages 143-149, March.
    2. J. D. Joannopoulos & Pierre R. Villeneuve & Shanhui Fan, 1997. "Erratum: Photonic crystals: putting a new twist on light," Nature, Nature, vol. 387(6635), pages 830-830, June.
    3. Byung Cheol Park & Tae-Hyeon Kim & Kyung Ik Sim & Boyoun Kang & Jeong Won Kim & Beongki Cho & Kwang-Ho Jeong & Mann-Ho Cho & Jae Hoon Kim, 2015. "Terahertz single conductance quantum and topological phase transitions in topological insulator Bi2Se3 ultrathin films," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-8, May.
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