High-Harmonic Spin and Charge Pumping in Altermagnets

Abstract

We report the emergence of highly nonlinear spin and charge pumping in an altermagnetic system driven by magnetic dynamics. The non-relativistic spin-momentum coupling inherent to altermagnets (AMs) generates a giant momentum dependent spin splitting, leading to strong spin-flip scattering in the presence of a precessing magnetic order driving the altermagnetic system out of equilibrium. Our simulations reveal the emission of hundreds of harmonics under realistic conditions, with amplitudes far exceeding those obtained in light-driven schemes. Notably, in contrast to ferromagnetic and conventional antiferromagnetic systems, where nonlinear emission typically requires additional spin-orbit coupling, AMs intrinsically support high-harmonic spin and charge pumping. These results identify altermagnetic systems as a promising platform for efficient THz emitters and highly nonlinear spintronic devices.