Edge states and enhanced spin-orbit interaction at graphene/graphane interfaces

TL;DR

This paper investigates graphene/graphane interfaces, revealing edge states with amplified spin-orbit effects that enable spin and valley polarization conversion and induce quantum Hall phenomena at low temperatures.

Contribution

It demonstrates the existence of edge states at zigzag graphene/graphane interfaces with enhanced spin-orbit interactions, leading to novel spintronic effects.

Findings

Edge states are present at zigzag interfaces.

Enhanced spin splitting enables polarization conversion.

Quantum spin and valley Hall effects are observed.

Abstract

We study interfaces between graphene and graphane. If the interface is oriented along a zigzag direction, edge states are found which exhibit a strong amplification of effects related to the spin-orbit interaction. The enhanced spin splitting of the edge states allows a conversion between valley polarization and spin polarization at temperatures near one Kelvin. We show that these edge states give rise to quantum spin and/or valley Hall effects.