Detection of spin- and valley-polarized states in van der Waals materials via thermoelectric and non-reciprocal transport

TL;DR

This paper predicts thermoelectric and non-reciprocal transport effects in van der Waals heterostructures with valley-polarized states, offering experimental probes for these states.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework linking spin-orbit coupling, exchange/Zeeman fields, and valley polarization to observable transport effects in 2D materials.

Findings

Thermoelectric effects can indicate valley polarization in heterostructures.

Current rectification signatures reveal valley-polarized states.

Transport signatures are experimentally accessible in TMDs and graphene heterostructures.

Abstract

We predict thermoelectric and current rectification effects in hybrid junctions formed by Ising superconductors and materials hosting valley-polarized states. Both effects originate from the interplay of intrinsic Ising spin-orbit coupling, spin-splitting from an exchange or Zeeman field, and valley polarization. The resulting transport signatures provide experimentally accessible probes of valley-polarized states in van der Waals heterostructures, such as junctions of few-layer transition metal dichalcogenides and twisted bilayer or rhombohedral graphene.