Spin-polarized transport properties in magnetic moir\'e superlattices

TL;DR

This paper explores how magnetic moiré superlattices can generate and control spin-polarized currents, revealing potential for spintronic applications through tunable miniband transport and electric field modulation.

Contribution

It demonstrates spin-resolved miniband transport and 100% spin polarization in magnetic moiré superlattices, with electric field control of spin polarization direction.

Findings

Spin-resolved miniband transport at small twist angles.

Spin polarization can reach 100% with finite moiré periods.

Electric field modulates spin polarization intensity and direction.

Abstract

Since the discovery of the fascinating properties in magic-angle graphene, the exploration of moir\'e systems in other two-dimensional materials has garnered significant attention and given rise to a field known as 'moir\'e physics'. Within this realm, magnetic van der Waals heterostructure and the magnetic proximity effect in moir\'e superlattices have also become subjects of great interest. However, the spin-polarized transport property in this moir\'e structures is still a problem to be explored. Here, we investigate the spin-polarized transport properties in a moir\'e superlattices formed by a two-dimensional ferromagnet CrI_3 stacked on a monolayer BAs, where the spin degeneracy is lifted because of the magnetic proximity effect associated with the moir\'e superlattices. We find that the conductance exhibits spin-resolved miniband transport properties at a small twist angle because of the periodic moir\'e superlattices. When the incident energy is in the spin-resolved minigaps, the available states are spin polarized, thus providing a spin-polarized current from the superlattice. Moreover, only a finite number of moir\'e period is required to obtain a net spin polarization of 100\%. In addition, the interlayer distance of the heterojunction is also moir\'e modifiable, so a perpendicular electric field can be applied to modulate the intensity and direction of the spin polarization. Our finding points to an opportunity to realize spin functionalities in magnetic moir\'e superlattices.