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Abstract:
The binary compounds FeSi, RuSi, and OsSi are chiral insulators
crystallizing in the space group P2(1)3 which is cubic. By means of ab
initio calculations we find for these compounds a non-vanishing
electronic Berry phase, the sign of which depends on the handedness of
the crystal. There is thus the possibility that the Berry phase signals
the existence of a macroscopic electric polarization due to the
electrons. We show that this is indeed so if a small external magnetic
field is applied in the [111] direction. The electric polarization is
oscillatory in the magnetic field and possesses a signature that
distinguishes the handedness of the crystal. Our findings add to the
discussion of topological classifications of insulators and are
significant for spintronics applications, and in particular, for a
deeper understanding of skyrmions in insulators. Copyright (C) EPLA,
2013
