A Modified Drude–Lorentz Model That Enables Taking into Account Topological Characteristics of a Medium

Abstract

The Drude–Lorentz model, which makes it possible to describe a nonlinear response of a dielectric or conducting medium, can be suited for the description of nonlinear nonresonant responses of some exotic media: topological insulators, a Weil semimetal, or a Dirac metal. A generalized Drude–Lorentz model and its simplified version, in which topological effects are taken into account to a minimum extent, are presented. As an example of application of the simplified model, the second-order nonlinear conductivity is derived, which is responsible for the second harmonic generation and the effect of optical rectification. It is shown that the ratio of the topological conductivity to the ordinary linear conductivity contains constants that are proportional to the fine structure constant and the axion field gradient.