Electronic and magnetic properties of honeycomb zigzag nanoribbons in the in-plane transverse electric field using Kane-Mele-Hubbard model

TL;DR

This study investigates how spin-orbit coupling and in-plane transverse electric fields influence the electronic and magnetic properties of honeycomb zigzag nanoribbons, revealing transitions and potential spintronic applications.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of the combined effects of spin-orbit coupling and electric fields on nanoribbon properties using the Kane-Mele-Hubbard model, highlighting their role in topological transitions.

Findings

Electric field and spin-orbit coupling induce magnetic to non-magnetic transitions.

Parameters cause symmetry breaking and energy band separation.

Results suggest potential for spintronic device applications.

Abstract

Using the Kane-Mele-Hubbard model in the unrestricted mean field approximation, the effect of spin-orbit coupling, as an intrinsic parameter, and an in-plane transverse electric field, as an external parameter, on the electronic and magnetic properties of honeycomb zigzag nanoribbons are investigated in the presence of electron-electron interaction. Our calculations show that each of these parameters has significant effects on the physical properties of nanoribbons, and each of them independently transitions the nanoribbon from a magnetic to non-magnetic state. The process of change in some aspect of physical properties, such as symmetry breaking, separation of spin up and spin down energy bands, reduction of magnetic order, change of electric dipole moment and spin current of nanoribbons, which are due to change of these two parameters are investigated. we will see that spin-orbit coupling in the competition with the transverse electric field determines the basic physical properties of the nanoribbon. This research, can provide a better understanding of two types of topological and non-topological transitions. In addition, the separation of spin-up and spin-down energy bands and their tuning by these parameters can be considered as a candidate for use in spintronic instruments.