Optically induced spin Hall current in Janus transition-metal dichalcogenides

TL;DR

This paper theoretically demonstrates that monolayer Janus TMDCs can generate pure spin Hall currents under light irradiation, with Rashba SOC crucial for polarization and efficiency, positioning these materials for advanced optospintronic applications.

Contribution

It introduces the theoretical possibility of optically induced pure spin Hall currents in Janus TMDCs, highlighting the role of Rashba SOC in these processes.

Findings

Pure spin Hall currents can be generated under light irradiation.

Rashba SOC influences spin polarization and enhances current generation.

Janus TMDCs are promising for optospintronic devices.

Abstract

Monolayer Janus transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), such as WSeTe, exhibit Rashba-type spin-orbit coupling (SOC) due to broken out-of-plane mirror symmetry. Here, we theoretically demonstrate that pure spin Hall currents can be generated under light irradiation based on a tight-binding model. Rashba-type SOC plays a crucial role in determining the spin polarization direction and enhancing the generation efficiency of pure spin Hall currents. Our findings establish Janus TMDCs as promising materials for next-generation optospintronic devices.