Ferron polariton Hall effect: Deflecting optically rectified polarization with magnetic fields

Abstract

Ferrons are elementary excitations of ferroelectric order that can propagate and transport polarization when excited with light. Here, we show theoretically that ferron polaritons exhibit a Hall effect: an applied magnetic field generates polarization transport perpendicular to the propagation direction of a ferron polariton excited by an incident terahertz pulse. We demonstrate this effect for the example of ferroelectric SnTe using first-principles calculations and a microscopic theory of the phonon-polariton current. The direction and magnitude of the transverse polarization transport can be controlled by the polarization of the terahertz pulse and the applied magnetic field. Our results establish a route toward light-controlled directional transport of electric polarization in ferroelectrics.