Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: The conventional spin Seebeck effect generates spin currents through interfacial thermal conduction. In this Letter, we establish a photon-mediated spin Seebeck effect driven by near-field thermal radiation. Using a monolayer transition metal dichalcogenide separated from a thermal emitter by a vacuum gap, we demonstrate Rashba spin-orbit coupling can convert optical orbital excitations into an electron spin polarization. This occurs via two complementary mechanisms: the direct transfer of angular momentum from chiral thermal photons, and the rectification of unpolarized thermal fluctuations by a magnetized two-dimensional electron gas. These findings unveil a radiative pathway for nanoscale electron spin manipulation.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Author: Tang, Gaomin
Language: English
Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7211987185