Spin textures induced in n-doped solid electrolytes

A strongly insulating solid-state electrolyte may become conducting upon n-doping. On the basis of ab initio calculations, we demonstrate how the charge-to-spin conversion takes place in Li-doped lithium tantalate. Due to an excess of electrons induced by each Li dopant, the low-conduction 5d band of the nearest Ta shifts down and crosses the Fermi level. The band structure of the doped material displays its spin polarization, whilst the relatively large spin-orbit coupling stimulates the spin textures. Additionally, we anticipate that spin-orbitronic effects may be generated by the charge current via n-doped solid-state electrolytes.