Switchable Altermagnetism via Spin-Induced Improper Polarization

Abstract

Enabling reversible spin-splitting switching in stray-field-free altermagnets is promising for spintronic applications, but currently limited to a narrow class of polar materials. We propose a broader approach based on spin-induced improper polarization in nonpolar dual-sublattice magnets. We demonstrate this mechanism in DyFeO3, where the product of nonpolar Fe and Dy spin modes transforms as an induced polar mode. Density functional theory shows that the relative Dy--Fe spin alignment selects the polarization, while the Fe sublattice controls nonrelativistic spin splitting, thus enabling reversible switching. These results establish spin-induced improper polarization as a route to switchable altermagnetism in nonpolar bulk systems.