Emergent Phenomena Induced by Spin-Orbit Coupling at Surfaces and Interfaces

TL;DR

This paper reviews how spin-orbit coupling at surfaces and interfaces leads to new physical phenomena like chiral spin textures and spin-polarized states, with potential for room-temperature spintronic devices.

Contribution

It discusses the emergence of novel phenomena induced by SOC in low-dimensional systems and their implications for spin-based technology at room temperature.

Findings

SOC induces chiral spin textures and spin-polarized states.

These phenomena are robust at room temperature.

Potential applications in spintronic devices.

Abstract

Spin-orbit coupling (SOC) describes the relativistic interaction between the spin and momentum degrees of freedom of electrons, and is central to the rich phenomena observed in condensed matter systems. In recent years, new phases of matter have emerged from the interplay between SOC and low dimensionality, such as chiral spin textures and spin-polarized surface and interface states. These low-dimensional SOC-based realizations are typically robust and can be exploited at room temperature. Here we discuss SOC as a means of producing such fundamentally new physical phenomena in thin films and heterostructures. We put into context the technological promise of these material classes for developing spin-based device applications at room temperature.