A unified Symmetry Framework for Spin–Ferroelectric Coupling in Altermagnetic Multiferroics

A unified Symmetry Framework for Spin–Ferroelectric Coupling in Altermagnetic Multiferroics | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article A unified Symmetry Framework for Spin–Ferroelectric Coupling in Altermagnetic Multiferroics Zhenxiang Cheng, Wei Sun, Wenxuan Wang, Changhong Yang, Shifeng Huang This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8045133/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 24 Feb, 2026 Read the published version in Nature Communications → Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Altermagnetic multiferroics, hosting coexisting spin-splitting bands and ferroelectric polarization, offer a promising route to magnetoelectric coupling beyond conventional relativistic spin–orbit mechanism. However, the lack of a unified principle connecting ferroelectric switching symmetry to spin-band topology has impeded rational material design. Here, we establish a universal symmetry-based framework that classifies all possible spin–ferroelectric couplings in altermagnets into three fundamental types: decoupling, pseudo-time-reversal coupling, and asymmetric momentum mapping. This classification stems directly from the relation between ferroelectric switching operators and the spin Laue group, creating a decisive symmetry-to-function paradigm. We demonstrate these coupling mechanisms using a minimal tight-binding model. First-principles calculations on bilayer MnPS 3 validate the framework, showing that distinct ferroelectric switching paths produce characteristic spin-band reconstructions and discriminable electrical transport signatures. Our work provides a predictive design principle for voltage-programmable spintronics, effectively transforming ferroelectric symmetry from a structural descriptor into a dynamic functional control knob for altermagnetic spin states. Physical sciences/Materials science/Condensed-matter physics/Magnetic properties and materials Physical sciences/Physics/Condensed-matter physics/Ferroelectrics and multiferroics Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files SupplementaryInformation.docx Supplementary Information Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 24 Feb, 2026 Read the published version in Nature Communications → Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8045133","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":545539857,"identity":"5c68f5a5-8b82-42b5-9ab0-8f97b2d49785","order_by":0,"name":"Zhenxiang 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