Ferroelectric control of the giant Rashba spin orbit coupling in GeTe(111)/InP(111) superlattice

TL;DR

This study demonstrates how ferroelectric polarization switching in GeTe(111)/InP(111) superlattices can modulate and reverse Rashba spin orbit coupling, advancing the development of ferroelectric Rashba semiconductors for spintronic devices.

Contribution

First principles calculations reveal the influence of interface electric and ferroelectric fields on Rashba SOC and demonstrate polarization-controlled modulation and reversal.

Findings

Significant modulation of Rashba SOC by ferroelectric polarization.

Reversal of spin polarization achieved through polarization switching.

Interface electric field contributes to Rashba SOC variation.

Abstract

GeTe wins the renewed research interest due to its giant bulk Rashba spin orbit coupling (SOC), and becomes the father of a new multifunctional material, i.e., ferroelectric Rashba semiconductor. In the present work, we investigate Rashba SOC at the interface of the ferroelectric semiconductor superlattice GeTe(111)/InP(111) by using the first principles calculation. Contribution of the interface electric field and the ferroelectric field to Rashba SOC is revealed. A large modulation to Rashba SOC and a reversal of the spin polarization is obtained by switching the ferroelectric polarization. Our investigation about GeTe(111)/InP(111) superlattice is of great importance in the application of ferroelectric Rashba semiconductor in the spin field effect transistor.