Photovoltaic Chiral Magnetic Effect

Abstract

We theoretically predict a generation of a current in Weyl semimetals by applying circularly polarized light. The electric field of the light can drive an effective magnetic field of order of ten Tesla. For lower frequency light, a non-equilibrium spin distribution is formed near the Fermi surface. Due to the spin-momentum locking, a giant electric current proportional to the effective magnetic field is induced. On the other hand, higher frequency light realizes a quasi-static Floquet state with no induced electric current. We discuss relevant materials and estimate order of magnitude of the induced current.