Chiral Magnetic Effect of Hot Electrons

Abstract

We propose a way to observe the chiral magnetic effect in non-centrosymmetric Weyl semimetals under the action of strong electric field, via the non-linear part of their I-V characteristic that is odd in the external magnetic field, or odd-in-magnetic field voltages in electrically open circuits. This effect relies on valley-selective heating in such materials, which in general leads to nonequilibrium valley population imbalances. In the presence of an external magnetic field, such a valley-imbalanced Weyl semimetal will in general develop an electric current along the direction of the magnetic field -the chiral magnetic effect. We also discuss a specific experimental setup to observe the chiral magnetic effect of hot electrons.

Nonreciprocal optics and magnetotransport in Weyl metals as signatures of band topology

“…In this regard, the present work is similar in spirit to the proposals of Refs. [11] and [25], but is free from difficulties associated with multiterminal transport geometries, or strong-electric-field transport. Using nonreciprocal optical and transport effects as a test of band topology in metals can be hindered by their possible polycrystallinity, which randomizes the orientation of the optical axes, and removes the nonreciprocal effects in bulk samples.…”