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 61Subject Categories
Condensed Matter Physics
DOI
10.1038/s41535-023-00593-4