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Non-reciprocal Coulomb drag between Chern insulators

Author

Listed:
  • Yu Fu

    (Peking University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter
    Peking University)

  • Yu Huang

    (Peking University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter
    Peking University)

  • Qing Lin He

    (Peking University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter
    Peking University)

Abstract

Coulomb interaction between two closely spaced but electrically isolated conductors can induce a voltage in one of them upon feeding a current into the other. This effect has been widely studied in nonmagnetic strongly interacting systems and historically interpreted in terms of momentum and energy exchanges, which thus complies with Onsager’s reciprocity. Here we report the non-reciprocal Coulomb drag observed between two ferromagnetic Chern insulators that host quantum anomalous Hall effects. By measurements with current and circuit reversals, we discovered strong drag signals in both the longitudinal and transverse directions which violate Onsager’s reciprocity. These drag signals only emerge when the Chern insulator is in a multidomain state. Combined with the nonlinear $$I-V$$ I − V characteristics and power-law temperature dependence, this drag is attributed to the rectifications of mesoscopic fluctuations and quantum shot noise as well as the current cumulant. The drag signals are accompanied by strong magnetic fluctuations, highlighting the role played by magnetic dynamics. The present study expands the Coulomb drag to the realm of magnetic topological systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu Fu & Yu Huang & Qing Lin He, 2025. "Non-reciprocal Coulomb drag between Chern insulators," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58401-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58401-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Abhinav Kandala & Anthony Richardella & Susan Kempinger & Chao-Xing Liu & Nitin Samarth, 2015. "Giant anisotropic magnetoresistance in a quantum anomalous Hall insulator," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-6, November.
    2. Xufeng Kou & Lei Pan & Jing Wang & Yabin Fan & Eun Sang Choi & Wei-Li Lee & Tianxiao Nie & Koichi Murata & Qiming Shao & Shou-Cheng Zhang & Kang L. Wang, 2015. "Metal-to-insulator switching in quantum anomalous Hall states," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-8, December.
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