Magnetic chirality

Chirality with all broken mirror symmetries matters ubiquitously from DNA functionality, vine climbing, to the piezoelectricity of quartz crystals. Magnetic chirality means chirality in spin-ordered states or (atomic-scale or mesoscopic) spin textures. Magnetic chirality does not change with time-reversal operation, and chirality prime (C') means that time-reversal symmetry in addition to all mirror symmetries is broken with free spatial rotations. We will discuss a few examples of magnetic chirality and C', and their emergent physical properties. Some of these exotic properties have been recently observed, and many of them need to be experimentally confirmed.

Automated summary

Chirality is important in various fields, including DNA functionality, vine climbing, and piezoelectricity of quartz crystals. Magnetic chirality refers to the chirality in spin-ordered states or spin textures at the atomic or mesoscopic scale. It is not affected by time-reversal operations, and chirality prime (C') means the breaking of time-reversal symmetry in addition to all mirror symmetries with free spatial rotations. This article discusses a few examples of magnetic chirality and C', as well as their emergent physical properties, some of which have been observed recently while others need experimental confirmation.