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Zeeman Quantum Geometry: Spin-Momentum Coupling

Updated 28 December 2025
  • Zeeman quantum geometry is a framework extending conventional quantum geometry by incorporating spin rotations alongside momentum translations, revealing novel transport and optical phenomena.
  • It introduces the Zeeman quantum geometric tensor with symmetric and antisymmetric components that systematically classify electromagnetic responses such as the spin planar Hall effect and magnetononlinear Hall effect.
  • The approach applies to unconventional magnets and can be extended to non-Hermitian and mixed-state systems, with experimental signatures including quantized IGMC responses and resonant spin phenomena.

Zeeman quantum geometry is a generalization of conventional quantum geometry that unifies the momentum-space structure of Bloch electrons with spin degrees of freedom, enabling a geometrically controlled description of transport and optical responses in quantum materials where spin rotations and momentum translations are intertwined. Central to this framework is the Zeeman quantum geometric tensor (ZQGT), which encodes the joint response of Bloch states to infinitesimal momentum translations and spin rotations, producing novel symmetry-determined contributions to phenomena such as the intrinsic gyrotropic magnetic current (IGMC) and the spin planar Hall effect. Experimental and theoretical developments have linked Zeeman quantum geometry to measurable responses in unconventional magnets, especially those with momentum-dependent spin splitting and vanishing net magnetization.

1. Foundations of Zeeman Quantum Geometry

The ZQGT extends the conventional quantum geometric tensor—which measures the infinitesimal “distance” in Hilbert space between Bloch states at neighboring momenta—by additionally incorporating the response to infinitesimal spin rotations. For a cell-periodic Bloch eigenstate umkξ\lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle, two displacement generators are introduced:

  • Momentum translation: Udk=eidkr^U_{d\mathbf k}=e^{-i d\mathbf k \cdot \hat{\mathbf r}}
  • Spin rotation: Udθ=eidθσ^2U_{d\boldsymbol\theta}=e^{-i \frac{d\boldsymbol\theta \cdot \hat{\boldsymbol\sigma}}{2}}

The quantum distance is given by: ds2=UdθUdkumkξumkξ2ds^2 = \big\lVert\,U_{d\theta}\,U_{d\mathbf k}\,\lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle - \lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle\big\rVert^2 which, expanded to second order, reveals cross terms: ds2=pmgmpabdkadkb+14pmΣmpabdθadθb+pm(zmpba+zpmba)dθadkbds^2 = \sum_{p\neq m} g_{mp}^{ab}\,dk_a\,dk_b +\frac14\sum_{p\neq m}\Sigma_{mp}^{ab}\,d\theta_a\,d\theta_b +\sum_{p\neq m}\left(z_{mp}^{ba}+z_{pm}^{ba}\right)d\theta_a\,dk_b The crucial cross term,

zmpab=rmpaσpmbz_{mp}^{ab}=r_{mp}^a\,\sigma_{pm}^b

with rmpa=umkξikaupkξr_{mp}^a = \langle u_{m\mathbf{k}}^\xi|i\partial_{k_a}|u_{p\mathbf{k}}^\xi\rangle (position operator) and σpmb=upkξσ^bumkξ\sigma_{pm}^b = \langle u_{p\mathbf{k}}^\xi|\hat\sigma_b|u_{m\mathbf{k}}^\xi\rangle (spin operator), defines the ZQGT. Its real part yields the Zeeman quantum metric QmpabQ_{mp}^{ab}, and its imaginary part the Zeeman Berry curvature ZmpabZ_{mp}^{ab}: Udk=eidkr^U_{d\mathbf k}=e^{-i d\mathbf k \cdot \hat{\mathbf r}}0 The ZQGT contains both symmetric and antisymmetric components in the composite indices Udk=eidkr^U_{d\mathbf k}=e^{-i d\mathbf k \cdot \hat{\mathbf r}}1, with new structures absent in conventional QGT, such as Udk=eidkr^U_{d\mathbf k}=e^{-i d\mathbf k \cdot \hat{\mathbf r}}2 and Udk=eidkr^U_{d\mathbf k}=e^{-i d\mathbf k \cdot \hat{\mathbf r}}3 (Chakraborti et al., 20 Aug 2025, Ezawa, 5 Dec 2025).

2. Decomposition and Physical Meaning

By expanding the overlap of Udk=eidkr^U_{d\mathbf k}=e^{-i d\mathbf k \cdot \hat{\mathbf r}}4, the mixed term Udk=eidkr^U_{d\mathbf k}=e^{-i d\mathbf k \cdot \hat{\mathbf r}}5 gives rise to distinct symmetric and antisymmetric parts under Udk=eidkr^U_{d\mathbf k}=e^{-i d\mathbf k \cdot \hat{\mathbf r}}6:

  • Udk=eidkr^U_{d\mathbf k}=e^{-i d\mathbf k \cdot \hat{\mathbf r}}7 (symmetric)
  • Udk=eidkr^U_{d\mathbf k}=e^{-i d\mathbf k \cdot \hat{\mathbf r}}8 (antisymmetric)

In Zeeman geometry, novel cross-symmetric and cross-antisymmetric sectors appear: Udk=eidkr^U_{d\mathbf k}=e^{-i d\mathbf k \cdot \hat{\mathbf r}}9 The antisymmetric component Udθ=eidθσ^2U_{d\boldsymbol\theta}=e^{-i \frac{d\boldsymbol\theta \cdot \hat{\boldsymbol\sigma}}{2}}0 generalizes Berry curvature into spin-momentum space, while the symmetric Udθ=eidθσ^2U_{d\boldsymbol\theta}=e^{-i \frac{d\boldsymbol\theta \cdot \hat{\boldsymbol\sigma}}{2}}1 extends the quantum metric to include spin response. These structures govern linear and nonlinear electromagnetic responses beyond those predicted by conventional geometry (Chakraborti et al., 20 Aug 2025, Xiang et al., 3 Oct 2025, Ezawa, 5 Dec 2025).

3. Zeeman Quantum Geometry in Electromagnetic and Magnetotransport Response

The ZQGT directly dictates transport coefficients in external fields that couple to both spin and orbital degrees of freedom. Under an oscillating magnetic field Udθ=eidθσ^2U_{d\boldsymbol\theta}=e^{-i \frac{d\boldsymbol\theta \cdot \hat{\boldsymbol\sigma}}{2}}2, coupling as Udθ=eidθσ^2U_{d\boldsymbol\theta}=e^{-i \frac{d\boldsymbol\theta \cdot \hat{\boldsymbol\sigma}}{2}}3, the intrinsic IGMC is: Udθ=eidθσ^2U_{d\boldsymbol\theta}=e^{-i \frac{d\boldsymbol\theta \cdot \hat{\boldsymbol\sigma}}{2}}4

Udθ=eidθσ^2U_{d\boldsymbol\theta}=e^{-i \frac{d\boldsymbol\theta \cdot \hat{\boldsymbol\sigma}}{2}}5

Here, Udθ=eidθσ^2U_{d\boldsymbol\theta}=e^{-i \frac{d\boldsymbol\theta \cdot \hat{\boldsymbol\sigma}}{2}}6 (conduction) is a Fermi-surface integral of Udθ=eidθσ^2U_{d\boldsymbol\theta}=e^{-i \frac{d\boldsymbol\theta \cdot \hat{\boldsymbol\sigma}}{2}}7, and Udθ=eidθσ^2U_{d\boldsymbol\theta}=e^{-i \frac{d\boldsymbol\theta \cdot \hat{\boldsymbol\sigma}}{2}}8 (displacement) is a Fermi-sea integral of Udθ=eidθσ^2U_{d\boldsymbol\theta}=e^{-i \frac{d\boldsymbol\theta \cdot \hat{\boldsymbol\sigma}}{2}}9. Both terms are intrinsic and independent of relaxation time ds2=UdθUdkumkξumkξ2ds^2 = \big\lVert\,U_{d\theta}\,U_{d\mathbf k}\,\lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle - \lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle\big\rVert^20.

In the context of bilinear electromagnetic responses such as the spin planar Hall effect (PHE) and magnetononlinear Hall effect (MNHE), the Zeeman Berry curvature and quantum metric organize the linear and nonlinear conductivity tensors:

  • The Zeeman Berry curvature dipole controls the extrinsic spin PHE (ds2=UdθUdkumkξumkξ2ds^2 = \big\lVert\,U_{d\theta}\,U_{d\mathbf k}\,\lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle - \lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle\big\rVert^21-scaled).
  • The Zeeman quantum-metric dipole underlies the intrinsic spin MNHE (ds2=UdθUdkumkξumkξ2ds^2 = \big\lVert\,U_{d\theta}\,U_{d\mathbf k}\,\lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle - \lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle\big\rVert^22-scaled). This formalism enables a quantum-geometric classification of all bilinear charge and spin responses under combined electric and magnetic fields (Xiang et al., 3 Oct 2025).

4. Application to Unconventional Magnets and ds2=UdθUdkumkξumkξ2ds^2 = \big\lVert\,U_{d\theta}\,U_{d\mathbf k}\,\lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle - \lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle\big\rVert^23-wave Magnets

Zeeman quantum geometry is crucial in describing unconventional 2D magnets with zero net magnetization but momentum-dependent spin splitting, including:

  • ds2=UdθUdkumkξumkξ2ds^2 = \big\lVert\,U_{d\theta}\,U_{d\mathbf k}\,\lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle - \lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle\big\rVert^24 altermagnets (TRS breaking)
  • ds2=UdθUdkumkξumkξ2ds^2 = \big\lVert\,U_{d\theta}\,U_{d\mathbf k}\,\lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle - \lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle\big\rVert^25-wave magnets (TRS preserved, inversion symmetry broken)
  • Mixed ds2=UdθUdkumkξumkξ2ds^2 = \big\lVert\,U_{d\theta}\,U_{d\mathbf k}\,\lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle - \lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle\big\rVert^26-wave altermagnets (both TRS and inversion broken)

Key IGMC response features for these magnets are:

Model Nonzero IGMC Channels ZQGT Contributions
ds2=UdθUdkumkξumkξ2ds^2 = \big\lVert\,U_{d\theta}\,U_{d\mathbf k}\,\lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle - \lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle\big\rVert^27 ds2=UdθUdkumkξumkξ2ds^2 = \big\lVert\,U_{d\theta}\,U_{d\mathbf k}\,\lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle - \lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle\big\rVert^28 (transverse), ds2=UdθUdkumkξumkξ2ds^2 = \big\lVert\,U_{d\theta}\,U_{d\mathbf k}\,\lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle - \lvert u_{m\mathbf k}^\xi\rangle\big\rVert^29 (longitudinal) ds2=pmgmpabdkadkb+14pmΣmpabdθadθb+pm(zmpba+zpmba)dθadkbds^2 = \sum_{p\neq m} g_{mp}^{ab}\,dk_a\,dk_b +\frac14\sum_{p\neq m}\Sigma_{mp}^{ab}\,d\theta_a\,d\theta_b +\sum_{p\neq m}\left(z_{mp}^{ba}+z_{pm}^{ba}\right)d\theta_a\,dk_b0, ds2=pmgmpabdkadkb+14pmΣmpabdθadθb+pm(zmpba+zpmba)dθadkbds^2 = \sum_{p\neq m} g_{mp}^{ab}\,dk_a\,dk_b +\frac14\sum_{p\neq m}\Sigma_{mp}^{ab}\,d\theta_a\,d\theta_b +\sum_{p\neq m}\left(z_{mp}^{ba}+z_{pm}^{ba}\right)d\theta_a\,dk_b1
ds2=pmgmpabdkadkb+14pmΣmpabdθadθb+pm(zmpba+zpmba)dθadkbds^2 = \sum_{p\neq m} g_{mp}^{ab}\,dk_a\,dk_b +\frac14\sum_{p\neq m}\Sigma_{mp}^{ab}\,d\theta_a\,d\theta_b +\sum_{p\neq m}\left(z_{mp}^{ba}+z_{pm}^{ba}\right)d\theta_a\,dk_b2-wave ds2=pmgmpabdkadkb+14pmΣmpabdθadθb+pm(zmpba+zpmba)dθadkbds^2 = \sum_{p\neq m} g_{mp}^{ab}\,dk_a\,dk_b +\frac14\sum_{p\neq m}\Sigma_{mp}^{ab}\,d\theta_a\,d\theta_b +\sum_{p\neq m}\left(z_{mp}^{ba}+z_{pm}^{ba}\right)d\theta_a\,dk_b3, ds2=pmgmpabdkadkb+14pmΣmpabdθadθb+pm(zmpba+zpmba)dθadkbds^2 = \sum_{p\neq m} g_{mp}^{ab}\,dk_a\,dk_b +\frac14\sum_{p\neq m}\Sigma_{mp}^{ab}\,d\theta_a\,d\theta_b +\sum_{p\neq m}\left(z_{mp}^{ba}+z_{pm}^{ba}\right)d\theta_a\,dk_b4 (transverse) Off-diagonal ds2=pmgmpabdkadkb+14pmΣmpabdθadθb+pm(zmpba+zpmba)dθadkbds^2 = \sum_{p\neq m} g_{mp}^{ab}\,dk_a\,dk_b +\frac14\sum_{p\neq m}\Sigma_{mp}^{ab}\,d\theta_a\,d\theta_b +\sum_{p\neq m}\left(z_{mp}^{ba}+z_{pm}^{ba}\right)d\theta_a\,dk_b5, vanishing ds2=pmgmpabdkadkb+14pmΣmpabdθadθb+pm(zmpba+zpmba)dθadkbds^2 = \sum_{p\neq m} g_{mp}^{ab}\,dk_a\,dk_b +\frac14\sum_{p\neq m}\Sigma_{mp}^{ab}\,d\theta_a\,d\theta_b +\sum_{p\neq m}\left(z_{mp}^{ba}+z_{pm}^{ba}\right)d\theta_a\,dk_b6
Mixed ds2=pmgmpabdkadkb+14pmΣmpabdθadθb+pm(zmpba+zpmba)dθadkbds^2 = \sum_{p\neq m} g_{mp}^{ab}\,dk_a\,dk_b +\frac14\sum_{p\neq m}\Sigma_{mp}^{ab}\,d\theta_a\,d\theta_b +\sum_{p\neq m}\left(z_{mp}^{ba}+z_{pm}^{ba}\right)d\theta_a\,dk_b7-wave ds2=pmgmpabdkadkb+14pmΣmpabdθadθb+pm(zmpba+zpmba)dθadkbds^2 = \sum_{p\neq m} g_{mp}^{ab}\,dk_a\,dk_b +\frac14\sum_{p\neq m}\Sigma_{mp}^{ab}\,d\theta_a\,d\theta_b +\sum_{p\neq m}\left(z_{mp}^{ba}+z_{pm}^{ba}\right)d\theta_a\,dk_b8, ds2=pmgmpabdkadkb+14pmΣmpabdθadθb+pm(zmpba+zpmba)dθadkbds^2 = \sum_{p\neq m} g_{mp}^{ab}\,dk_a\,dk_b +\frac14\sum_{p\neq m}\Sigma_{mp}^{ab}\,d\theta_a\,d\theta_b +\sum_{p\neq m}\left(z_{mp}^{ba}+z_{pm}^{ba}\right)d\theta_a\,dk_b9, zmpab=rmpaσpmbz_{mp}^{ab}=r_{mp}^a\,\sigma_{pm}^b0, zmpab=rmpaσpmbz_{mp}^{ab}=r_{mp}^a\,\sigma_{pm}^b1 Symmetric/antisymmetric ZQGT pieces

These responses occur even when conventional Berry curvature vanishes, and are fully classified by the underlying symmetries and momentum- and spin-space structure of the ZQGT (Chakraborti et al., 20 Aug 2025, Ezawa, 5 Dec 2025).

In the broader family of zmpab=rmpaσpmbz_{mp}^{ab}=r_{mp}^a\,\sigma_{pm}^b2-wave magnets (zmpab=rmpaσpmbz_{mp}^{ab}=r_{mp}^a\,\sigma_{pm}^b3 = zmpab=rmpaσpmbz_{mp}^{ab}=r_{mp}^a\,\sigma_{pm}^b4, zmpab=rmpaσpmbz_{mp}^{ab}=r_{mp}^a\,\sigma_{pm}^b5, zmpab=rmpaσpmbz_{mp}^{ab}=r_{mp}^a\,\sigma_{pm}^b6, zmpab=rmpaσpmbz_{mp}^{ab}=r_{mp}^a\,\sigma_{pm}^b7, zmpab=rmpaσpmbz_{mp}^{ab}=r_{mp}^a\,\sigma_{pm}^b8), Zeeman quantum geometry governs Hall and planar Hall conductivities, tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR), and spin Drude responses, with effects determined by the symmetry order zmpab=rmpaσpmbz_{mp}^{ab}=r_{mp}^a\,\sigma_{pm}^b9 and structure of the off-diagonal ZQGT (Ezawa, 5 Dec 2025).

5. Classification of Zeeman Quantum Geometry in Response Functions

Zeeman quantum geometry organizes multipole moments—such as dipole and quadrupole terms—of the ZQGT, capturing the full hierarchy of intrinsic and extrinsic electromagnetic responses:

  • Zeeman Berry curvature dipole rmpa=umkξikaupkξr_{mp}^a = \langle u_{m\mathbf{k}}^\xi|i\partial_{k_a}|u_{p\mathbf{k}}^\xi\rangle0 extrinsic spin PHE
  • Zeeman quantum metric dipole rmpa=umkξikaupkξr_{mp}^a = \langle u_{m\mathbf{k}}^\xi|i\partial_{k_a}|u_{p\mathbf{k}}^\xi\rangle1 intrinsic spin MNHE
  • Quantum metric quadrupole corrections arise even in the ordinary Hall effect.

Explicitly, for Bloch bands rmpa=umkξikaupkξr_{mp}^a = \langle u_{m\mathbf{k}}^\xi|i\partial_{k_a}|u_{p\mathbf{k}}^\xi\rangle2,

rmpa=umkξikaupkξr_{mp}^a = \langle u_{m\mathbf{k}}^\xi|i\partial_{k_a}|u_{p\mathbf{k}}^\xi\rangle3

rmpa=umkξikaupkξr_{mp}^a = \langle u_{m\mathbf{k}}^\xi|i\partial_{k_a}|u_{p\mathbf{k}}^\xi\rangle4

The conductivity tensors are then assembled from Fermi-surface or Fermi-sea integrals over these ZQGT components, weighted by group velocities and energy denominators appropriate to the physical response under consideration (Xiang et al., 3 Oct 2025, Chakraborti et al., 20 Aug 2025).

6. Experimental Signatures and Observable Consequences

Zeeman quantum geometry predicts distinct experimental signatures across materials such as RuOrmpa=umkξikaupkξr_{mp}^a = \langle u_{m\mathbf{k}}^\xi|i\partial_{k_a}|u_{p\mathbf{k}}^\xi\rangle5, CrSb, MnTe, and the surfaces of 3D topological insulators. For typical parameters, IGMC voltages are in the mV range for low-frequency magnetic drives and can be controlled by symmetry tuning (e.g., varying the parity or wave admixture of the altermagnetic order). In planar Hall effect geometries, the Zeeman Berry curvature dipole yields quantized plateau-like signals robust to changes in chemical potential for realistic device parameters.

Experiments sensitive to geometric oscillations and “geometric dephasing” in spin resonance probe the underlying quantum metric rmpa=umkξikaupkξr_{mp}^a = \langle u_{m\mathbf{k}}^\xi|i\partial_{k_a}|u_{p\mathbf{k}}^\xi\rangle6 and curvature rmpa=umkξikaupkξr_{mp}^a = \langle u_{m\mathbf{k}}^\xi|i\partial_{k_a}|u_{p\mathbf{k}}^\xi\rangle7 on the Bloch sphere. These geometric responses are directly reflected in measurable quantities such as pumped population probabilities in NMR/ESR and qubit setups, with undamped oscillations arising far beyond standard resonance regimes (Song et al., 2024, Chakraborti et al., 20 Aug 2025).

7. Extensions: Non-Hermitian, Mixed-State, and Quantum Information Geometry

Zeeman quantum geometry generalizes naturally to:

  • Non-Hermitian band structures, by replacing inner products with biorthogonal pairs and defining generalized Berry connection and metric.
  • Quantum information geometry, via the Uhlmann/Bures metric for density matrices, yielding the quantum Fisher metric and mean Uhlmann curvature as generalized quantum geometric tensors. In the rmpa=umkξikaupkξr_{mp}^a = \langle u_{m\mathbf{k}}^\xi|i\partial_{k_a}|u_{p\mathbf{k}}^\xi\rangle8 limit, the Uhlmann construction reduces to conventional quantum metric and Berry curvature, demonstrating the unifying nature of geometric approaches in both pure and mixed-state quantum systems (Ezawa, 5 Dec 2025).

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