Multi-Functional Spin Photogalvanic Device Based on 2D Half-Metallic Ferromagnets

Generating fully spin-polarized currents (FSPC) and pure spin currents (PSC) are of great importance for spintronics. Half-metallic ferromagnets, which generate 100% spin polarization, are considered as one of the most promising materials for applications in spintronics. However, the knowledge of intrinsic half-metallic materials in the spin-dependent photogalvanic effect is still poorly understood. Using first-principle transport calculations, a robust approach is introduced to obtain FSPC and PSC by spin-dependent photogalvanic effect in intrinsic half-metallic materials. Based on the recently synthesized monolayer half-metallic C(CN)3, a 2D spin photogalvanic device is built and it is demonstrated that the FSPC can be achieved in a wider photon energy range under both linearly and elliptically polarized light due to the half-metallicity. It is intriguing to note that the device can be easily manipulated to transition between two modes: one for generating FSPC and another for generating PSC by setting the two leads in anti-parallel configurations. Furthermore, a significant spin-valve effect can be attained across various photon energies for both linearly and elliptically polarized light. The research shows that half-metallic materials are an ideal platform for studying and generating FSPC and PSC, which presents a remarkable avenue for the development of advanced spintronic devices in the next generation. Spin Photogalvanic Device Based on 2D Half-Metallic Ferromagnets. image