Enhancement of spin-orbit coupling and magnetic scattering in hydrogenated graphene

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that hydrogenation of graphene enhances spin-orbit coupling and introduces magnetic moments, as evidenced by changes in magnetotransport properties, which is promising for spintronics applications.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of increased SOC and magnetic scattering in hydrogenated graphene through low-field magnetotransport measurements.

Findings

Transition from weak localization to weak antilocalization with hydrogenation

Enhanced Bychkov-Rashba SOC due to broken mirror symmetry

Presence of magnetic moments indicated by spin-flip scattering

Abstract

Spin-orbit coupling (SOC) can provide essential tools to manipulate electron spins in two-dimensional materials like graphene, which is of great interest for both fundamental physics and spintronics application. In this paper, we report the low-field magnetotransport of in situ hydrogenated graphene where hydrogen atoms are attached to the graphene surface in continuous low temperature and vacuum environment. Transition from weak localization to weak antilocalization with increasing hydrogen adatom density is observed, indicating enhancing Bychkov-Rashba-type SOC in a mirror symmetry broken system. From the low-temperature saturation of phase breaking scattering rate, the existence of spin-flip scattering is identified, which corroborates the existence of magnetic moments in hydrogenated graphene.