# 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.

## Key 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.

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/1706.08256