Interplay between edge and bulk states in silicene nanoribbon

TL;DR

This paper explores how edge and bulk states interact in zigzag silicene nanoribbons under electric fields, revealing mechanisms for spin filtering and modulation driven by Rashba spin-orbit coupling.

Contribution

It uncovers two types of edge-bulk state interplay and their effects on spin-dependent properties, proposing silicene nanoribbons as spintronic devices.

Findings

Edge-bulk interplay can open spin-dependent subgaps.

Spin-polarized currents can be generated in the nanoribbon.

The nanoribbon can function as a spin filter and modulator.

Abstract

We investigate the interplay between the edge and bulk states, induced by the Rashba spin-orbit coupling, in a zigzag silicene nanoribbon in the presence of an external electric field. The interplay can be divided into two kinds, one is the interplay between the edge and bulk states with opposite velocities, and the other is that with the same velocity direction. The former can open small direct spin-dependent subgaps. A spin-polarized current can be generated in the nanoribbon as the Fermi energy is in the subgaps. While the later can give rise to the spin precession in the nanoribbon. Therefore, the zigzag silicene nanoribbon can be used as an efficient spin filter and spin modulation device.