Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: We report the emergence of an uncharted phenomenon, termed d -wave polarization-spin locking (PSL), in two-dimensional (2D) altermagnets. This phenomenon arises from nontrivial Berry connections, resulting in perpendicular electronic polarizations in the spin-up and spin-down channels. Symmetry-protected d -wave PSL occurs exclusively in d -wave altermagnets with tetragonal layer groups. To identify 2D altermagnets capable of exhibiting this phenomenon, we propose a symmetry-eigenvalue-based criterion and a rapid method by observing the spin-momentum locking. Using first-principles calculations, monolayer Cr 2 X 2 O (X = Se, Te) characterizes promising candidates for d -wave PSL, driven by the unusual charge order in these monolayers. This unique polarization-spin interplay leads to spin-up and spin-down electrons accumulating at orthogonal edges, enabling potential applications as spin filters or splitters in spintronics. Furthermore, d -wave PSL introduces an unexpected spin-driven ferroelectricity in conventional antiferromagnets. Such magnetoelectric coupling positions the d -wave PSL as an ideal platform for fast antiferromagnetic memory devices.
Source: Nano Letters
Authors: Zhao Liu, Nikhil V. Medhekar
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Australian Research Council
OpenAlex ID: W4413817853