Spin-orbit coupled spin-polarised hole gas at the CrSe2-terminated surface of AgCrSe2
Journal article, 2023

In half-metallic systems, electronic conduction is mediated by a single spin species, offering enormous potential for spintronic devices. Here, using microscopic-area angle-resolved photoemission, we show that a spin-polarised two-dimensional hole gas is naturally realised in the polar magnetic semiconductor AgCrSe2 by an intrinsic self-doping at its CrSe2-terminated surface. Through comparison with first-principles calculations, we unveil a striking role of spin-orbit coupling for the surface hole gas, unlocked by both bulk and surface inversion symmetry breaking, suggesting routes for stabilising complex magnetic textures in the surface layer of AgCrSe2.

Author

Gesa R. Siemann

University of St Andrews

Seo Jin Kim

Max Planck Society

Edgar Abarca Morales

University of St Andrews

Max Planck Society

Philip A.E. Murgatroyd

University of St Andrews

Andela Zivanovic

University of St Andrews

Max Planck Society

Brendan Edwards

University of St Andrews

Igor Marković

University of St Andrews

Max Planck Society

Federico Mazzola

University of St Andrews

Liam Trzaska

University of St Andrews

Oliver J. Clark

University of St Andrews

Chiara Bigi

University of St Andrews

Haijing Zhang

Max Planck Society

Barat Achinuq

University of Oxford

Thorsten Hesjedal

University of Oxford

Diamond Light Source

Matthew D. Watson

Diamond Light Source

T. K. Kim

Diamond Light Source

Peter Bencok

Diamond Light Source

Gerrit van der Laan

Diamond Light Source

C. M. Polley

MAX IV Laboratory

M. Leandersson

MAX IV Laboratory

H. Fedderwitz

MAX IV Laboratory

Khadiza Ali

MAX IV Laboratory

Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Quantum Device Physics

T. Balasubramanian

MAX IV Laboratory

Marcus Schmidt

Max Planck Society

M. Baenitz

Max Planck Society

Helge Rosner

Max Planck Society

Phil D.C. King

University of St Andrews

npj Quantum Materials

23974648 (eISSN)

Vol. 8 1 61

Subject Categories

Condensed Matter Physics

DOI

10.1038/s41535-023-00593-4

More information

Latest update

1/3/2024 9