Electronic control of combined spin-orbit and magnetic exchange coupling in graphene vdW-heterostructures (CombSOC)

Principal investigators

  1. Marko Burghard, MPI-FKF Stuttgart [webpage]
  2. Christoph Kastl, Walter-Schottky-Institute, TU Munich [webpage]
  3. Alexander Holleitner, Walter-Schottky-Institute, TU Munich [webpage]

teaser picture

Abstract

This experimental project combines spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and magnetic proximity in van der Waals heterostructures to imprint electrically tunable spin polarizations in the band structure of graphene. In undoped (2D magnet/graphene/2D SOC material) heterotrilayers, CombSOC envisions to demonstrate the in-plane magnetic anisotropies and topological gap openings close to the charge neutrality point of graphene. By comparison, in charge transfer doped heterotrilayers, CombSOC seeks to reveal the induced spin polarizations far away from the charge neutrality point and their impact on emergent collective spin and charge excitations, like surface plasmons or magnons, in the highly doped graphene layer.

The heterostructures are investigated by electronic and optoelectronic spectroscopies. Magnetotransport and spin valve measurements probe magnetic anisotropies, topological gap openings near charge neutrality, and spin lifetime anisotropy. Spin-dependent tunneling quantifies spin polarizations away from charge neutrality. Time-resolved (mid-infrared) photocurrents probe symmetries and dynamics of the spin-polarizations and photogalvanic currents.