Uniform inverse Faraday effect in two-dimensional electron systems

The inverse Faraday effect, where magnetization is induced by circularly polarized light, reveals how symmetry governs nonlinear optical and electronic responses. Inversion symmetry forbids uniform light-induced magnetization, while its breaking, structurally or via spin–orbit coupling, allows a uniform response even in nonmagnetic materials. In this work we present a general theoretical analysis that clarifies how symmetry breaking, dimensionality, and electronic structure together determine the character of the inverse Faraday response in two-dimensional electron systems. This framework highlights the role of antisymmetric tensor components that couple optical helicity to magnetic polarization, establishing the conditions under which a macroscopic magnetization may appear. The results provide a unified symmetry-based perspective on light-induced magnetization and suggest new pathways for optically controlling spin and current in low-dimensional electronic materials.