Optical manipulation of Rashba-split 2-dimensional electron gas

M. Michiardi (), F. Boschini, H.-H. Kung, M. X. Na, S. K. Y. Dufresne, A. Currie, G. Levy, S. Zhdanovich, A. K. Mills, D. J. Jones, J. L. Mi, B. B. Iversen, Ph. Hofmann and A. Damascelli ()
Additional contact information
M. Michiardi: Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia
F. Boschini: Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia
H.-H. Kung: Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia
M. X. Na: Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia
S. K. Y. Dufresne: Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia
A. Currie: Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia
G. Levy: Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia
S. Zhdanovich: Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia
A. K. Mills: Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia
D. J. Jones: Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia
J. L. Mi: Aarhus University
B. B. Iversen: Aarhus University
Ph. Hofmann: Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University
A. Damascelli: Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract In spintronics, the two main approaches to actively control the electrons’ spin involve static magnetic or electric fields. An alternative avenue relies on the use of optical fields to generate spin currents, which can bolster spin-device performance, allowing for faster and more efficient logic. To date, research has mainly focused on the optical injection of spin currents through the photogalvanic effect, and little is known about the direct optical control of the intrinsic spin-splitting. To explore the optical manipulation of a material’s spin properties, we consider the Rashba effect. Using time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (TR-ARPES), we demonstrate that an optical excitation can tune the Rashba-induced spin splitting of a two-dimensional electron gas at the surface of Bi2Se3. We establish that light-induced photovoltage and charge carrier redistribution - which in concert modulate the Rashba spin-orbit coupling strength on a sub-picosecond timescale - can offer an unprecedented platform for achieving optically-driven spin logic devices.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30742-5

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