In two-dimensional antiferromagnets, we find that the mixed Berry curvature can be attributed as the geometrical origin of the nonreciprocal directional dichroism (NDD), which refers to the difference in light absorption between opposite propagation directions. This Berry curvature is closely related to the uniaxial strain in accordance with the symmetry constraint, leading to a highly tunable NDD, whose sign and strength can be tuned via strain direction. We choose the lattice model of ${\mathrm{MnBi}}_2{\mathrm{Te}}_4$ as a concrete example. The coupling between mixed Berry curvature and strain also suggests the magnetic quadrupole of the Bloch wave packet as the macroscopic order parameter probed by the NDD in two dimensions, which is distinct from the multiferroic order $\mathit{P}\times \mathit{M}$ or the spin toroidal and quadrupole order within a unit cell in previous studies. Our work paves the way for the Berry-curvature engineering for optical nonreciprocity in two-dimensional antiferromagnets.

• Received 12 June 2023
• Revised 2 October 2023
• Accepted 17 November 2023

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.131.256901