Spin-active devices based on graphene / WSe$_2$ heterostructure

TL;DR

This paper explores graphene on WSe$_2$ heterostructures to develop spin-active devices, demonstrating tunable spin filtering and inversion using quantum dots and rings with atomistic and Dirac models.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed theoretical analysis of spin transport in graphene/WSe$_2$ quantum dots and rings, highlighting their potential as spin filters and inverters.

Findings

Systems act as spin filters with highly spin-polarized currents.

Low magnetic fields enable effective spin filtering.

Quantum confinement influences spin transport properties.

Abstract

We consider graphene on monolayer WSe$_2$ and the spin-orbit coupling induced by the transition-metal dichalcogenide substrate for application to spin-active devices. We study quantum dots and graphene quantum rings as tunable spin filters and inverters. We use an atomistic tight-binding model as well as the Dirac equation to determine stationary states confined in quantum dots and rings. Next we solve the spin-transport problem for dots and rings connected to nanoribbon leads. The systems connected to zigzag nanoribbons at low magnetic fields act as spin filters and provide strongly spin polarized current.