Search

Quantum geometric tensor (QGT) reflects the geometry of the eigenstates of a system's Hamiltonian. The full characterization of QGT is essential for various quantum systems. However, it is challenging to characterize the QGT of the solid-state systems. Here we present a scheme by using spin-polarized STM to measure QGT of two-dimensional solid-state systems, in which the spin texture is extracted from geometric amplitudes of Friedel oscillations induced by the intentionally introduced magnetic impurity and then the QGT is derived from the momentum differential of spin texture. The surface states of topological insulator (TISS), as a model spin system, is promising to demonstrate the scheme. In a TI slab, the gapped TISS host finite quantum metric and Berry curvature as the symmetric real part and the antisymmetric imaginary part of QGT, respectively. Thus, a detailed calculations guide the use of the developed scheme to measure the QGT of gapped TISS with or without an external in-plane magnetic field. This study provides a feasible scheme for measuring QGT of two-dimensional solid-state systems, and hints at the great potential of the information extraction from the geometric amplitudes of STM and other measurement., Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures

Recently, the altermagnets, a new kind of colinear antiferromagnet with zero net magnetization and momentum-dependent spin-splitting of bands, have sparked great interest. Despite simple magnetic structures, these altermagnets exhibit intriguing and intricate dependence of AHE on the N\'eel vector, in contrast to the conventional perpendicular configuration of Hall current with magnetization in ferromagnets. However, the relationship between the AHE and the N\'eel vector remains largely elusive. Here, we propose an "extrinsic parameter" method and further reveal diverse unconventional anomalous Hall textures in the N\'eel vector space, dubbed anomalous-Hall N\'eel textures (AHNTs), for altermagnets. Notably, we find that AHNTs resemble the spin textures in momentum space, and identify 10 types across four categories of AHNTs in altermagnets. Meanwhile, we examine our key discoveries in prototypical altermagnets. Our work can offer a methodology for detecting N\'eel vectors via anomalous Hall transport, and provide useful guidelines for designing electronic and optoelectronic devices based on altermagnets.

Altermagnetic (AM) materials have recently attracted significant interest due to the non-relativistic momentum-dependent spin splitting of their electronic band structure which may be useful for antiferromagnetic (AFM) spintronics. So far, however, most research studies have been focused on AM metals which can be utilized in spintronic devices, such as AFM tunnel junctions (AFMTJs). At the same time, AM insulators have remained largely unexplored in the realm of AFM spintronics. Here, we propose to employ AM insulators (AMIs) as efficient spin-filter materials. By analyzing the complex band structure of rutile-type altermagnets $MF_2$ ($M$ = $Fe, Co, Ni$), we demonstrate that the evanescent states in these AMIs exhibit spin- and momentum-dependent decay rates resulting in a substantial momentum-dependent spin polarization of the tunneling current. Using a model of spin-filter tunneling across a spin-dependent potential barrier, we estimate the TMR effect in spin-filter magnetic tunnel junctions (SF-MTJs) that include two magnetically decoupled $MF_2$ (001) barrier layers. We predict a sizable spin-filter TMR ratio of about 150-170% in SF-MTJs based on AMIs $CoF_2$ and $NiF_2$ if the Fermi energy is tuned to be close to the valence band maximum. Our results demonstrate that AMIs provide a viable alternative to conventional ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic spin-filter materials, potentially advancing the development of next-generation AFM spintronic devices., Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures

A spin valve represents a well-established device concept in magnetic memory technologies, whose functionality is determined by electron transmission being controlled by the relative alignment of magnetic moments of the two ferromagnetic layers. Recently, the advent of valleytronics has conceptualized a valley spin valve (VSV) - a device that utilizes the valley degree of freedom and spin-valley locking to achieve a similar valve effect without relying on magnetism. In this study, we propose a non-volatile VSV (n-VSV) based on a two-dimensional (2D) ferroelectric semiconductor where the resistance of the n-VSV is controlled by the ferroelectric domain wall between the two uniformly polarized domains. Focusing on the 1T'' phase of MoS2, which is known to be ferroelectric down to a monolayer and using density functional theory (DFT) combined with the quantum-transport calculations, we demonstrate that switching between the uniformly polarized state and the state with oppositely polarized domains separated by a domain wall results in resistance change of as high as 10^7. This giant VSV effect occurs due to transmission being strongly dependent on matching (mismatching) the valley-dependent spin polarizations in the two domains with the same (opposite) ferroelectric polarization orientations, when the chemical potential of 1T''-MoS2 lies within the spin-split valleys. Our work paves a new route for realizing high-performance nonvolatile valleytronics., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures

Nonlinear optics plays important roles in the research of fundamental physics and the applications of high-performance optoelectronic devices. The bulk nonlinear optical responses arise from the uniform light absorption in noncentrosymmetric crystals, and hence are usually considered to be the collective phenomena of all atoms. Here we show, in contrast to this common expectation, the nonlinear optical responses in antiferromagnets can be selectively accumulated near the surfaces, representing a skin effect. This is because the inversion symmetry, despite being broken globally by magnetism, is barely violated locally deeply inside these antiferromagnets. Using A-type layered antiferromagnets as the representatives, we predict that the spatial-dependent nonlinear optical responses, such as bulk photovoltaic effect (BPVE) and second harmonic generation (SHG), are notable in the top- and bottom-most layers and decay rapidly when moving away from the surfaces. Such a phenomenon is strongly associated with the antiferromagnetism and exists in a broad range of antiferromagnets composed of centrosymmetric sublattices, offering promising device applications using these antiferromagnets. Our work uncovers a previously overlooked property of nonlinear optical responses and opens new opportunities for high-performance antiferromagnetic optospintronics.

Spin-orbit torques (SOTs) generated through the conventional spin Hall effect and/or Rashba-Edelstein effect are promising for manipulating magnetization. However, this approach typically exhibits non-deterministic and inefficient behaviour when it comes to switching perpendicular ferromagnets. This limitation posed a challenge for write-in operations in high-density magnetic memory devices. Here, we determine an effective solution to overcome this challenge by simultaneously leveraging both a planar Hall effect (PHE) and an orbital Hall effect (OHE). Using a representative Co/PtGd/Mo trilayer SOT device, we demonstrate that the PHE of Co is enhanced by the interfacial coupling of Co/PtGd, giving rise to a finite out-of-plane damping-like torque within the Co layer. Simultaneously, the OHE in Mo layer induces a strong out-of-plane orbital current, significantly amplifying the in-plane damping-like torque through orbital-to-spin conversion. While either the PHE or OHE alone proves insufficient for reversing the perpendicular magnetization of Co, their collaborative action enables high-efficiency field-free deterministic switching. Our work provides a straightforward strategy to realize high-speed and low-power spintronics., Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Nat. Commun

Antiferromagnetic (AFM) spintronics has emerged as a subfield of spintronics, where an AFM N\'eel vector is used as a state variable. Efficient electric control and detection of the N\'eel vector are critical for spintronic applications. This review article features fundamental properties of AFM tunnel junctions (AFMTJs) as spintronic devices where such electric control and detection can be realized. We emphasize critical requirements for observing a large tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) effect in AFMTJs with collinear and noncollinear AFM electrodes, such as a momentum-dependent spin polarization and N\'eel spin currents. We further discuss spin torques in AFMTJs that are capable of N\'eel vector switching. Overall, AFMTJs have potential to become a new standard for spintronics providing larger magnetoresistive effects, few orders of magnitude faster switching speed, and much higher packing density than conventional magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs)., Comment: An invited review for recent progress of antiferromagnetic tunnel junctions

Physical phenomena in condensed matter normally arise from the collective effect of all atoms, while selectively addressing a lone atomic sublattice by external stimulus is elusive. The later functionality may, however, be useful for different applications due to a possible response being different from that occurring when the external stimulus affects the whole solid. Here, we introduce cross-chain antiferromagnets, where the stacking of two magnetic sublattices form a pattern of intersecting atomic chains, supportive to the sublattice selectivity. We dub this antiferromagnetic (AFM) stacking X-type and demonstrate that it reveals unique spin-dependent transport properties not present in conventional magnets. Based on high-throughput analyses and computations, we unveil three prototypes of X-type AFM stacking and identify 18 X-type AFM candidates. Using $\beta$-Fe$_{2}$PO$_{5}$ as a representative example, we predict the sublattice-selective spin-polarized transport driven by the X-type AFM stacking, where one magnetic sublattice is conducting, while the other is not. As a result, a spin torque can be exerted solely on a single sublattice, leading to unconventional ultrafast dynamics of the N\`eel vector capable of deterministic switching of the AFM order parameter. Our work uncovers a previously overlooked type of magnetic moment stacking and reveals sublattice-selective physical properties promising for high-performance spintronic applications.

Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) are key components of spintronic devices, such as magnetic random-access memories. Normally, MTJs consist of two ferromagnetic (FM) electrodes separated by an insulating barrier layer. Their key functional property is tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) that is a change in MTJ's resistance when magnetization of the two electrodes alters from parallel to antiparallel. Here, we demonstrate that TMR can occur in MTJs with a single FM electrode, provided that the counter electrode is an antiferromagnetic (AFM) metal that supports a spin-split band structure and/or a N\'eel spin current. Using RuO$_{2}$ as a representative example of such antiferromagnet and CrO$_{2}$ as a FM metal, we design all-rutile RuO$_{2}$/TiO$_{2}$/CrO$_{2}$ MTJs to reveal a non-vanishing TMR. Our first-principles calculations predict that magnetization reversal in CrO$_{2}$ significantly changes conductance of the MTJs stacked in the (110) or (001) planes. The predicted giant TMR effect of about 1000% in the (110) oriented MTJs stems from spin-dependent conduction channels in CrO$_{2}$ (110) and RuO$_{2}$ (110), whose matching alters with CrO$_{2}$ magnetization orientation, while TMR in the (001) oriented MTJs originates from the N\'eel spin currents and different effective TiO$_{2}$ barrier thickness for the two magnetic sublattices that can be engineered by the alternating deposition of TiO$_{2}$ and CrO$_{2}$ monolayers. Our results demonstrate a possibility of a sizable TMR in MTJs with a single FM electrode and offer a practical test for using the altermagnet RuO$_{2}$ in functional spintronic devices., Comment: 7 pages, 5 Figures

Electronic band structures underlie the physical properties of crystalline materials, their geometrical exploration renovates the conventional cognition and brings about novel applications. Inspired by geometry phases, we introduce a geometric amplitude named as the geometric density of states (GDOS) dictated by the differential curvature of the constant-energy contour. The GDOS determines the amplitude of the real-space Green's function making it attain the ultimate expression with transparent physics. The local responses of crystalline materials are usually formulated by the real-space Green's function, so the relevant physics should be refreshed by GDOS. As an example of local responses, we suggest using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to characterize the surface states of three-dimensional topological insulator under an in-plane magnetic field. The GDOS favors the straightforward simulation of STM measurement without resorting to Fourier transform of the real-space measurement, and also excavates the unexplored potential of STM measurement to extract the phase information of wavefunction through its amplitude, i.e., the spin and curvature textures. Therefore, the proposed GDOS deepens the understanding of electronic band structures and is indispensable in local responses, and it should be universal for any periodic systems., Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures

Using first-principles quantum-transport calculations, we investigate spin-dependent electronic and transport properties of antiferromagnetic tunnel junctions (AFMTJs) that consist of (110)-oriented antiferromagnetic (AFM) metal RuO$_{2}$ electrodes and an insulating TiO$_{2}$ tunneling barrier. We predict the emergence of a giant tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) effect in a wide energy window, a series of barrier layer thicknesses, and different interface terminations, indicating the robustness of this effect. We show that the predicted TMR cannot be explained in terms of the global transport spin-polarization of RuO$_{2}$ (110) but is well understood based on matching the momentum-dependent spin-polarized conduction channels of the two RuO$_{2}$ (110) electrodes. We predict oscillations of TMR with increasing barrier thickness, indicating a non-negligible contribution from the perfectly epitaxial interfaces. Our work helps the understanding of the physics of TMR in AFMTJs and aids in realizing efficient AFM spintronic devices., Comment: The colorbar of originl Fig. 2a was not set properly, which is corrected in this version. To be published in PRB

Magnetic skyrmions and antiskyrmions are topologically protected quasiparticles exhibiting a whirling spin texture in real space. Antiskyrmions offer some advantages over skyrmions as they are expected to have higher stability and can be electrically driven with no transverse motion. However, unlike the widely investigated skyrmions, antiskyrmions are rarely observed due to the required anisotropic Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI). Here we propose to exploit the recently demonstrated van der Waals (vdW) assembly of two-dimensional (2D) materials that breaks inversion symmetry and creates conditions for anisotropic DMI. Using a 2D vdW magnet CrI${}_3$ as an example, we demonstrate, based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations, that this strategy is a promising platform to realize antiskyrmions. Polar layer stacking of two centrosymmetric magnetic monolayers of CrI${}_3$ efficiently lowers the symmetry, resulting in anisotropic DMI that supports antiskyrmions. The DMI is reversible by switching the ferroelectric polarization inherited from the polar layer stacking, offering the control of antiskyrmions by an electric field. Furthermore, we find that the magnetocrystalline anisotropy and DMI of CrI${}_3$ can be efficiently modulated by Mn doping, creating a possibility to control the size of antiskyrmions. Using atomistic spin dynamics simulations with the parameters obtained from our DFT calculations, we predict the formation of antiskyrmions in a Cr${}_{0.88}$Mn${}_{0.12}$I${}_3$ bilayer and switching their spin texture with polarization reversal. Our results open a new direction to generate and control magnetic antiskyrmions in 2D vdW magnetic systems., Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures

Valleytronics is a research field utilizing a valley degree of freedom of electrons for information processing and storage. A strong valley polarization is critical for realistic valleytronic applications. Here, we predict a tunneling valley Hall effect (TVHE) driven by tilted Dirac fermions in all-in-one tunnel junctions based on a two-dimensional (2D) valley material. Different doping of the electrode and spacer regions in these tunnel junctions results in momentum filtering of the tunneling Dirac fermions, generating a strong transverse valley Hall current dependent on the Dirac-cone tilting. Using the parameters of an existing 2D valley material, we demonstrate that such a TVHE is much stronger than that induced by the intrinsic Berry curvature mechanism reported previously. Finally, we predict that resonant tunneling can occur in a tunnel junction with properly engineered device parameters such as the spacer width and transport direction, providing significant enhancement of the valley Hall angle. Our work opens a new approach to generate valley polarization in realistic valleytronic systems., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures

Van der Waals (vdW) assembly allows controlling symmetry of two-dimensional (2D) materials that determines their physical properties. Especially interesting is the recently demonstrated breaking inversion symmetry by polar layer stacking to realize novel electronic, magnetic, and transport properties of 2D vdW materials switchable by induced electric polarization. Here, based on symmetry analyses and density-functional calculations, we explore the emergence of the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) in antiferromagnetic MnBi2Te4 films assembled by polar layer stacking. We demonstrate that breaking PT symmetry in an MnBi2Te4 bilayer makes this 2D material magnetoelectric and produces a spontaneous AHE switchable by electric polarization. We find that reversable polarization at one of the interfaces in a three-layer MnBi2Te4 film drives a metal-insulator transition, as well as switching between an AHE and quantum AHE (QAHE). Finally, we predict that engineering an interlayer polarization in a three-layer MnBi2Te4 film allows converting MnBi2Te4 from a trivial insulator to a Chern insulator. Overall, our work emphasizes the emergence of quantum-transport phenomena in 2D vdW antiferromagnets by polar layer stacking, which do not exist in this material in the bulk or bulk-like thin-film forms.

Ferromagnets are known to support spin-polarized currents that control various spin-dependent transport phenomena useful for spintronics. On the contrary, fully compensated antiferromagnets are expected to support only globally spin-neutral currents. Here, we demonstrate that these globally spin-neutral currents can represent the N\'eel spin currents, i.e. staggered spin currents flowing through different magnetic sublattices. The N\'eel spin currents emerge in antiferromagnets with strong intra-sublattice coupling (hopping) and drive the spin-dependent transport phenomena such as tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) and spin-transfer torque (STT) in antiferromagnetic tunnel junctions (AFMTJs). Using RuO$_{2}$ and Fe$_{4}$GeTe$_{2}$ as representative antiferromagnets, we predict that the N\'eel spin currents with a strong staggered spin-polarization produce a sizable field-like STT capable of the deterministic switching of the N\'eel vector in the associated AFMTJs. Our work uncovers the previously unexplored potential of fully compensated antiferromagnets and paves a new route to realize the efficient writing and reading of information for antiferromagnetic spintronics.

Cubic materials host high crystal symmetry and hence are not expected to support anisotropy in transport phenomena. In contrast to this common expectation, here we report an anomalous anisotropy of spin current can emerge in the (001) film of Mn${_3}$Pt, a noncollinear antiferromagnetic spin source with face-centered cubic structure. Such spin current anisotropy originates from the intertwined time reversal-odd ($T$-odd) and time reversal-even ($T$-even) spin Hall effects. Based on symmetry analyses and experimental characterizations of the current-induced spin torques in Mn${_3}$Pt-based heterostructures, we find that the spin current generated by Mn${_3}$Pt (001) exhibits exotic dependences on the current direction for all the spin components, deviating from that in conventional cubic systems. We also demonstrate that such an anisotropic spin current can be used to realize low-power spintronic applications such as the efficient field-free switching of the perpendicular magnetizations., Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures

The relationship between magnetic order and the second harmonic generation (SHG) effect is a fundamental area of study in condensed matter physics with significant practical implications. In order to gain a clearer understanding of this intricate relation, this study presents a comprehensive classification scheme for the SHG effect in magnetically ordered materials. This framework offers a straightforward approach to connect magnetic order and SHG effect. The characteristics of the SHG tensors in all magnetic point groups are studied using the isomorphic group method, followed by a comprehensive SHG effect classification scheme that includes seven types based on the symmetries of the magnetic phases and their corresponding parent phases. In addition, a tensor dictionary containing the SHG and linear magneto-optic (LMO) effect is established. Furthermore, an extensive SHG database of magnetically ordered materials is also built up. This classification strategy exposes an anomalous SHG effect with even characteristic under time-reversal symmetry, which is solely contributed by magnetic structure. Moreover, the proposed classification scheme facilitates the determination of magnetic structures through SHG effect.

The recent observation of ferroelectricity in the metastable phases of binary metal oxides, such as HfO2, ZrO2, Hf0.5Zr0.5O2, and Ga2O3, has garnered a lot of attention. These metastable ferroelectric phases are typically stabilized through epitaxial growth, alloying, or defect engineering. Here, we propose hole doping plays a key role in stabilizing the polar phases in binary metal oxides. Using first-principles density-functional-theory calculations, we show that holes in these oxides mainly occupy one of the two oxygen sublattices. This hole localization, which is more pronounced in the polar phase than in the nonpolar phase, lowers the electrostatic energy of the system, and makes the polar phase more stable at sufficiently large concentrations. We demonstrate that this electrostatic mechanism is responsible for stabilization of the ferroelectric phase of HfO2 aliovalently doped with elements that introduce holes to the system, such as La and N. Finally, we show that the spontaneous polarization in HfO2 is robust to hole doping, and a large polarization persists even under a high concentration of holes.

Anomalous Hall effect (AHE) is a fundamental spin-dependent transport property that is widely used in spintronics. It is generally expected that currents carrying net spin polarization are required to drive the AHE. Here we demonstrate that, in contrast to this common expectation, a spin-neutral tunneling AHE (TAHE), i.e. a TAHE driven by spin-neutral currents, can be realized in an antiferromagnetic (AFM) tunnel junction where an AFM electrode with a non-spin-degenerate Fermi surface and a normal metal electrode are separated by a non-magnetic barrier with strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC). The symmetry mismatch between the AFM electrode and the SOC barrier results in an asymmetric spin-dependent momentum filtering of the spin-neutral longitudinal current generating the transverse Hall current in each electrode. We predict a sizable spin-neutral TAHE in an AFM tunnel junction with a RuO$_{2}$-type AFM electrode and a SnTe-type SOC barrier and show that the Hall currents are reversible by the N\'eel vector switching. With the Hall angle being comparable to that in conventional AHE bulk materials, the predicted spin-neutral TAHE can be used for the N\'eel vector detection in antiferromagnetic spintronics.

Magnetic skyrmions are chiral nanoscale spin textures which are usually induced by Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI). Recently, magnetic skyrmions have been observed in two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) ferromagnetic materials, such as Fe$_{3}$GeTe$_{2}$. The electric control of skyrmions is important for their potential application in low-power memory technologies. Here, we predict that DMI and magnetic skyrmions in a Fe$_{3}$GeTe$_{2}$ monolayer can be controlled by ferroelectric polarization of an adjacent 2D vdW ferroelectric In$_{2}$Se$_{3}$. Based on density functional theory and atomistic spin-dynamics modeling, we find that the interfacial symmetry breaking produces a sizable DMI in a Fe$_{3}$GeTe$_{2}$/In$_{2}$Se$_{3}$ vdW heterostructure. We show that the magnitude of DMI can be controlled by ferroe-lectric polarization reversal, leading to creation and annihilation of skyrmions. Furthermore, we find that the sign of DMI in a In$_{2}$Se$_{3}$/Fe$_{3}$GeTe$_{2}$/In$_{2}$Se$_{3}$ heterostructure changes with ferroelectric switching reversing the skyrmion chirality. The predicted electrically controlled skyrmion formation may be interesting for spintronic applications.

Spin-polarized currents play a key role in spintronics. Recently, it has been found that antiferromagnets with a non-spin-degenerate band structure can efficiently spin-polarize electric currents, even though their net magnetization is zero. Among the antiferromagnetic metals with magnetic space group symmetry supporting this functionality, the noncollinear antiferromagnetic antiperovskites ANMn$_3$ (A = Ga, Ni, Sn, and Pt) are especially promising. This is due to their high N\'eel temperatures and a good lattice match to perovskite oxide substrates, offering possibilities of high structural quality heterostructures based on these materials. Here, we investigate the spin polarization of antiferromagnetic ANMn$_3$ metals using first-principles density functional theory calculations. We find that the spin polarization of the longitudinal currents in these materials is comparable to that in widely used ferromagnetic metals, and thus can be exploited in magnetic tunnel junctions and spin transfer torque devices. Moreover, for certain film growth directions, the out-of-plane transverse spin currents with a giant charge-to-spin conversion efficiency can be achieved, implying that the ANMn$_3$ antiperovskites can be used as efficient spin sources. These properties make ANMn$_3$ compounds promising for application in spintronics.

We report measurements demonstrating that when the Neel vector of the collinear antiferromagnet RuO2 is appropriately canted relative to the sample plane, the antiferromagnet generates a substantial out of plane damping-like torque. The measurements are in good accord with predictions that when an electric field, E is applied to the spin split band structure of RuO2 it can cause a strong transverse spin current even in the absence of spin-orbit coupling. This produces characteristic changes in all three components of the E induced torque vector as a function of the angle of E relative to the crystal axes, corresponding to a spin current with a well defined tilted spin orientation s approximately (but not exactly) parallel to the Neel vector, flowing perpendicular to both E and S. This angular dependence is the signature of an antiferromagnetic spin Hall effect with symmetries that are distinct from other mechanisms of spin-current generation reported in antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic materials.

Electric currents carrying a net spin polarization are widely used in spintronics, whereas globally spin-neutral currents are expected to play no role in spin-dependent phenomena. Here we show that, in contrast to this common expectation, spin-independent conductance in compensated antiferromagnets and normal metals can be efficiently exploited in spintronics, provided their magnetic space group symmetry supports a non-spin-degenerate Fermi surface. Due to their momentum-dependent spin polarization, such antiferromagnets can be used as active elements in antiferromagnetic tunnel junctions (AFMTJs) and produce a giant tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) effect. Using RuO$_{2}$ as a representative compensated antiferromagnet exhibiting spin-independent conductance along the [001] direction but a non-spin-degenerate Fermi surface, we design a RuO$_{2}$/TiO$_{2}$/RuO$_{2}$ (001) AFMTJ, where a globally spin-neutral charge current is controlled by the relative orientation of the N\'eel vectors of the two RuO$_{2}$ electrodes, resulting in the TMR effect as large as ~500%. These results are expanded to normal metals which can be used as a counter electrode in AFMTJs with a single antiferromagnetic layer or other elements in spintronic devices. Our work uncovers an unexplored potential of the materials with no global spin polarization for utilizing them in spintronics.

Current induced spin-orbit torques driven by the conventional spin Hall effect are widely used to manipulate the magnetization. This approach, however, is nondeterministic and inefficient for the switching of magnets with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy that are demanded by the high-density magnetic storage and memory devices. Here, we demonstrate that this limitation can be overcome by exploiting a magnetic spin Hall effect in noncollinear antiferromagnets, such as Mn3Sn. The magnetic group symmetry of Mn3Sn allows generation of the out-of-plane spin current carrying spin polarization induced by an in-plane charge current. This spin current drives an out-of-plane anti-damping torque providing deterministic switching of perpendicular magnetization of an adjacent Ni/Co multilayer. Compared to the conventional spin-orbit torque devices, the observed switching does not need any external magnetic field and requires much lower current density. Our results demonstrate great prospects of exploiting the magnetic spin Hall effect in noncollinear antiferromagnets for low-power spintronics., Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures

Friedel oscillation is a well-known wave phenomenon, which represents the oscillatory response of electron waves to imperfection. By utilizing the pseudospin-momentum locking in gapless graphene, two recent experiments demonstrate the measurement of the topological Berry phase by corresponding to the unique number of wavefront dislocations in Friedel oscillations. Here, we study the Friedel oscillations in gapped graphene, in which the pseudospin-momentum locking is broken. Unusually, the wavefront dislocations do occur as that in gapless graphene, which expects the immediate verification in the current experimental condition. The number of wavefront dislocations is ascribed to the invariant pseudospin winding number in gaped and gapless graphene. This study deepens the understanding of correspondence between topological quantity and wavefront dislocations in Friedel oscillations, and implies the possibility to observe the wavefront dislocations of Friedel oscillations in intrinsic gapped two-dimensional materials, e.g., transition metal dichalcogenides., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures

The low in-plane symmetry in layered 1T'-ReS$_2$ results in strong band anisotropy, while its manifestation in the electronic properties is challenging to resolve due to the lack of effective approaches for controlling the local current path. In this work, we reveal the giant transport anisotropy in monolayer to four-layer ReS$_2$ by creating directional conducting paths via nanoscale ferroelectric control. By reversing the polarization of a ferroelectric polymer top layer, we induce conductivity switching ratio of >1.5x10$^8$ in the ReS$_2$ channel at 300 K. Characterizing the domain-defined conducting nanowires in an insulating background shows that the conductivity ratio between the directions along and perpendicular to the Re-chain can exceed 5.5x10$^4$. Theoretical modeling points to the band origin of the transport anomaly, and further reveals the emergence of a flat band in few-layer ReS$_2$. Our work paves the path for implementing the highly anisotropic 2D materials for designing novel collective phenomena and electron lensing applications., Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, w. Supplemental Material

High spin-orbit torques (SOTs) generated by topological materials and heavy metals interfaced with a ferromagnetic layer show promise for next generation magnetic memory and logic devices. SOTs generated from the in-plane spin polarization along y-axis originated by the spin Hall and Edelstein effects can switch magnetization collinear with the spin polarization in the absence of external magnetic fields. However, an external magnetic field is required to switch the magnetization along x and z-axes via SOT generated by y-spin polarization. Here, we present that the above limitation can be circumvented by unconventional SOT in magnetron-sputtered thin film MnPd3. In addition to the conventional in-plane anti-damping-like torque due to the y-spin polarization, out-of-plane and in-plane anti-damping-like torques originating from z-spin and x-spin polarizations, respectively have been observed at room temperature. The spin torque efficiency corresponding to the y-spin polarization from MnPd3 thin films grown on thermally oxidized silicon substrate and post annealed at 400 Deg C is 0.34 - 0.44. Remarkably, we have demonstrated complete external magnetic field-free switching of perpendicular Co layer via unconventional out-of-plane anti-damping-like torque from z-spin polarization. Based on the density functional theory calculations, we determine that the observed x- and z- spin polarizations with the in-plane charge current are due to the low symmetry of the (114) oriented MnPd3 thin films. Taken together, the new material reported here provides a path to realize a practical spin channel in ultrafast magnetic memory and logic devices.

Spin photogalvanic effect (SPGE) is an efficient method to generate a spin current by photoexcitation in a contactless and ultra-fast way. In two-dimensional (2D) collinear antiferromagnetic (AFM) materials that preserve the combined time-reversal (T) and inversion (I) symmetry (i.e., TI symmetry), we find that the photogalvanic currents in two magnetic sublattices carry different kinds of spins and propagate in opposite direction if the spin-orbit coupling is negligible, resulting in a pure spin current without net charge current. Based on the first-principles calculations, we show that two experimentally synthesized 2D collinear AFM materials, monolayer MnPS$_3$ and bilayer CrCl$_3$, host the required symmetry and support sizable SPGE. The predicted SPGE in 2D collinear AFM materials makes them promising platforms for nano spintronics devices.

The control of spin-dependent properties by voltage, not involving magnetization switching, has significant advantages for low-power spintronics. Here, we predict that the interfacial crystal Hall effect (ICHE) can serve for this purpose. We show that the ICHE can occur in heterostructures composed of compensated antiferromagnetic metals and non-magnetic insulators due to reduced symmetry at the interface, and it can be made reversible if the antiferromagnet is layered symmetrically between two identical ferroelectric layers. We explicitly demonstrate this phenomenon using density functional theory calculations for three material systems: MnBi$_{2}$Te$_{4}$/GeI$_{2}$ and topological In$_{2}$Te$_{3}$/MnBi$_{2}$Te$_{4}$/In$_{2}$Te$_{3}$ van der Waals heterostructures, and GeTe/Ru$_{2}$MnGe/GeTe heterostructure composed of three-dimensional materials. We show that all three systems reveal a sizable ICHE, while the latter two exhibit a quantum ICHE and ICHE, respectively, reversible with ferroelectric polarization. Our proposal opens an alternative direction for voltage controlled spintronics and offers not yet explored possibilities for functional devices by heterostructure design.

Ferroelectric-like metals are a relatively rare class of materials that have ferroelectric-like distortion and metallic conductivity. LiOsO$_3$ is the first demonstrated and the most investigated ferroelectric-like metal. The presence of free carriers makes them difficult to be studied by traditional ferroelectric techniques. In this paper, using the symmetry analysis and first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that the ferroelectric-like transition of LiOsO$_3$ can be probed by a kind of electrical transport method based on nonlinear Hall effect. The Berry curvature dipole exists in the ferroelectric-like phase, and it can lead to a measurable nonlinear Hall conductance with a conventional experimental setup. However, the symmetry of the paraelectric-like phase LiOsO$_3$ vanishes the Berry curvature dipole. The Berry curvature dipole shows a strong dependence on the polar displacement, which might be helpful for the detection of polar order. The nonlinear Hall effect provides an effective method for the detection of phase transition in the study of the ferroelectric-like metals and promotes them to be applied in the ferroelectric-like electronic devices.

Ferroelectric tunnel junctions (FTJs), which consist of two metal electrodes separated by a thin ferroelectric barrier, have recently aroused significant interest for technological applications as nanoscale resistive switching devices. So far, most of existing FTJs have been based on perovskite-oxide barrier layers. The recent discovery of the two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals ferroelectric materials opens a new route to realize tunnel junctions with new functionalities and nm-scale dimensions. Due to the weak coupling between the atomic layers in these materials, the relative dipole alignment between them can be controlled by applied voltage. This allows transitions between ferroelectric and antiferroelectric orderings, resulting in significant changes of the electronic structure. Here, we propose to realize 2D antiferroelectric tunnel junctions (AFTJs), which exploit this new functionality, based on bilayer In$_2$X$_3$ (X = S, Se, Te) barriers and different 2D electrodes. Using first-principles density functional theory calculations, we demonstrate that the In$_2$X$_3$ bilayers exhibit stable ferroelectric and antiferroelectric states separated by sizable energy barriers, thus supporting a non-volatile switching between these states. Using quantum-mechanical modeling of the electronic transport, we explore in-plane and out-of-plane tunneling across the In$_2$S$_3$ van der Waals bilayers, and predict giant tunneling electroresistance (TER) effects and multiple non-volatile resistance states driven by ferroelectric-antiferroelectric order transitions. Our proposal opens a new route to realize nanoscale memory devices with ultrahigh storage density using 2D AFTJs.

We demonstrate fabrication of atomically sharp interfaces between nitride antiperovskite Mn$_{3}$GaN and oxide perovskites (La$_{0.3}$Sr$_{0.7}$)(Al$_{0.65}$Ta$_{0.35}$)O$_{3}$ (LSAT) and SrTiO$_{3}$ as paradigms of nitride-antiperovskite/oxide-perovskite heterostructures. Using a combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), atomic-resolution spectroscopic techniques, and first-principle calculations, we investigated the atomic-scale structure, composition, and boding at the interface. We show that the epitaxial growth between the antiperovskite and perovskite compounds is mediated by a coherent interfacial monolayer that connects the two anti-structures. We anticipate our results to be a major step for the development of functional antiperovskite/perovskite heterostructures opening to harness a combination of their functional properties including topological properties for ultra low power applications.

Antiferromagnetic (AFM) spintronics exploits the N\'eel vector as a state variable for novel spintronic devices. Recent studies have shown that the field-like and antidamping spin-orbit torques (SOT) can be used to switch the N\'eel vector in antiferromagnets with proper symmetries. However, the precise detection of the N\'eel vector remains a challenging problem. In this letter, we predict that the nonlinear anomalous Hall effect (AHE) can be used to detect the N\'eel vector in most compensated antiferromagnets supporting the antidamping SOT. We show that the magnetic crystal group symmetry of these antiferromagnets combined with spin-orbit coupling produce a sizable Berry curvature dipole and hence the nonlinear AHE. As a specific example, we consider half-Heusler alloy CuMnSb, which N\'eel vector can be switched by the antidamping SOT. Based on density functional theory calculations, we show that the nonlinear AHE in CuMnSb results in a measurable Hall voltage under conventional experimental conditions. The strong dependence of the Berry curvature dipole on the N\'eel vector orientation provides a new detection scheme of the N\'eel vector based on the nonlinear AHE. Our predictions enrich the material platform for studying non-trivial phenomena associated with the Berry curvature and broaden the range of materials useful for AFM spintronics.

Complex oxide heterointerfaces and van der Waals heterostructures present two versatile but intrinsically different platforms for exploring emergent quantum phenomena and designing new functionalities. The rich opportunity offered by the synergy between these two classes of materials, however, is yet to be charted. Here, we report an unconventional nonlinear optical filtering effect resulting from the interfacial polar alignment between monolayer MoS$_2$ and a neighboring ferroelectric oxide thin film. The second harmonic generation response at the heterointerface is either substantially enhanced or almost entirely quenched by an underlying ferroelectric domain wall depending on its chirality, and can be further tailored by the polar domains. Unlike the extensively studied coupling mechanisms driven by charge, spin, and lattice, the interfacial tailoring effect is solely mediated by the polar symmetry, as well explained via our density functional theory calculations, pointing to a new material strategy for the functional design of nanoscale reconfigurable optical applications., Comment: 22 pages, 4 figures

As a new two-dimensional Dirac material, 8-\textit{Pmmn} borophene hosts novel anisotropic and tilted massless Dirac fermions (MDFs) and has attracted increasing interest. However, the potential application of 8-\textit{Pmmn} borophene in spin fields has not been explored. Here, we study the long-range RKKY interaction mediated by anisotropic and tilted MDFs in magnetically-doped 8-\textit{Pmmn} borophene. To this aim, we carefully analyze the unique real-space propagation of anisotropic and tilted MDFs with noncolinear momenta and group velocities. As a result, we analytically demonstrate the anisotropic behaviors of long-range RKKY interaction, which have no dependence on the Fermi level but are velocity-determined, i.e., the anisotropy degrees of oscillation period and envelop amplitude are determined by the anisotropic and tilted velocities. The velocity-determined RKKY interaction favors to fully determine the characteristic velocities of anisotropic and tilted MDFs through its measurement, and has high tunability by engineering velocities shedding light on the application of 8-\textit{Pmmn} borophene in spin fields., Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures

The anomalous Hall effect (AHE) is a well-known fundamental property of ferromagnetic metals, commonly associated with the presence of a net magnetization. Recently, an AHE has been discovered in non-collinear antiferromagnetic (AFM) metals. Driven by non-vanishing Berry curvature of AFM materials with certain magnetic space group symmetry, anomalous Hall conductivity (AHC) is very sensitive to the specific type of magnetic ordering. Here, we investigate the appearance of AHC in antiperovskite GaNMn$_{3}$ as a representative of broader materials family ANMn$_{3}$ (A is a main group element), where different types of non-collinear magnetic ordering can emerge. Using symmetry analyses and first-principles density-functional theory calculations, we show that with almost identical band structure, the nearly degenerate non-collinear AFM $\Gamma_{5g}$ and $\Gamma_{4g}$ phases of GaNMn$_{3}$ have zero and finite AHC, respectively. In a non-collinear ferrimagnetic $M$-1 phase, GaNMn$_{3}$ exhibits a large AHC due to the presence of a sizable net magnetic moment. In the non-collinear antiperovskite magnets, transitions between different magnetic phases, exhibiting different AHC states, can be produced by doping, strain, or spin transfer torque, which makes these materials promising for novel spintronic applications.

Topological antiferromagnetic (AFM) spintronics is an emerging field of research, which exploits the N\'eel vector to control the topological electronic states and the associated spin-dependent transport properties. A recently discovered N\'eel spin-orbit torque has been proposed to electrically manipulate Dirac band crossings in antiferromagnets; however, a reliable AFM material to realize these properties in practice is missing. Here, we predict that room temperature AFM metal MnPd$_{2}$ allows the electrical control of the Dirac nodal line by the N\'eel spin-orbit torque. Based on first-principles density functional theory calculations, we show that reorientation of the N\'eel vector leads to switching between the symmetry-protected degenerate state and the gapped state associated with the dispersive Dirac nodal line at the Fermi energy. The calculated spin Hall conductivity strongly depends on the N\'eel vector orientation and can be used to experimentally detect the predicted effect using a proposed spin-orbit torque device. Our results indicate that AFM Dirac nodal line metal MnPd$_{2}$ represents a promising material for topological AFM spintronics.

Nodal line semimetals are characterized by symmetry-protected band crossing lines and are expected to exhibit nontrivial electronic properties. Connections of the multiple nodal lines, resulting in nodal nets, chains, or links, are envisioned to produce even more exotic quantum states. In this work, we propose a feasible approach to realize tunable nodal line connections in real materials. We show that certain space group symmetries support the coexistence of the planar symmetry enforced and accidental nodal lines, which are robust to spin-orbit coupling and can be tailored into intricate patterns by chemical substitution, pressure, or strain. Based on first-principles calculations, we identify non-symmorphic centrosymmetric quasi-one-dimensional compounds, K$_{2}$SnBi and MX$_{3}$ (M = Ti, Zr, Hf and X = Cl, Br, I), as materials hosting such tunable 2D Dirac nodal nets. Unique Landau levels are predicted for the nodal line semimetals with the 2D Dirac nodal nets. Our results provide a viable approach for realize the novel physics of the nodal line connections in practice.