Spin injection and helicity control of surface spin photocurrent in a three dimensional topological insulator

Y. Q. Huang, Y. X. Song, S. M. Wang, I. A. Buyanova and W. M. Chen ()
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Y. Q. Huang: Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University
Y. X. Song: State Key Laboratory of Functional Materials for Informatics, CAS Center of Excellence for Superconducting Electronics, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
S. M. Wang: State Key Laboratory of Functional Materials for Informatics, CAS Center of Excellence for Superconducting Electronics, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
I. A. Buyanova: Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University
W. M. Chen: Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract A three-dimensional (3D) topological insulator (TI) is a unique quantum phase of matter with exotic physical properties and promising spintronic applications. However, surface spin current in a common 3D TI remains difficult to control and the out-of-plane spin texture is largely unexplored. Here, by means of surface spin photocurrent in Bi2Te3 TI devices driven by circular polarized light, we identify the subtle effect of the spin texture of the topological surface state including the hexagonal warping term on the surface current. By exploring the out-of-plane spin texture, we demonstrate spin injection from GaAs to TI and its significant contribution to the surface current, which can be manipulated by an external magnetic field. These discoveries pave the way to not only intriguing new physics but also enriched spin functionalities by integrating TI with conventional semiconductors, such that spin-enabled optoelectronic devices may be fabricated in such hybrid structures.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15401

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