Current-induced switching of magnetic molecules on topological insulator surfaces

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that electrical currents on topological insulator surfaces or edges can effectively switch the magnetic orientation of nearby molecules, enabling potential spintronic applications.

Contribution

It introduces a method to control molecular magnetization using spin-polarized currents on topological insulators, a novel approach in molecular spintronics.

Findings

Surface/edge currents induce magnetic switching in molecules.

Complete polarization achievable with proper alignment.

Switching rates depend on applied current.

Abstract

Electrical currents at the surface or edge of a topological insulator are intrinsically spin-polarized. We show that such surface/edge currents can be used to switch the orientation of a molecular magnet weakly coupled to the surface or edge of a topological insulator. For the edge of a two-dimensional topological insulator as well as for the surface of a three-dimensional topological insulator the application of a well-chosen surface/edge current can lead to a complete polarization of the molecule if the molecule's magnetic anisotropy axis is appropriately aligned with the current direction. For a generic orientation of the molecule a nonzero but incomplete polarization is obtained. We calculate the probability distribution of the magnetic states and the switching rates as a function of the applied current.