Disentangling edge and bulk spin-to-charge interconversion in MoS<sub>2</sub> monolayer flakes.

Victor, Rodrigo Torrão; Safeer, Syed Hamza; Marroquin, John F R; Costa, Marcio; Felix, Jorlandio F; Carozo, Victor; Sampaio, Luiz C; Garcia, Flavio · Nat Commun · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Semiconductor transition metal dichalcogenides are an archetype for spintronic devices due to their spin-to-charge interconversion mechanisms. However, the exact microscopic origin of this interconversion is not yet determined. In our study, we investigated light-induced spin pumping in YIG/MoS<sub>2</sub> heterostructures. Our findings revealed that the MoS<sub>2</sub> monolayer microsized flakes contribute to spin current injection through two distinct mechanisms: metallic edge states and semiconductor area states. The competition between these mechanisms, influenced by the flake size, leads to different behaviors of spin-pumping. Our calculations of the local density of states, by means of density functional theory, of a flake show that light-driven spin current injection can be controlled based on the intensity of light with a suitable wavelength. We demonstrate that a lightdriven spin current injection can enhance up to very high values, attenuate, or even switch on/off the spin-to-charge interconversion. These results hold promise for developing low energy-consuming opto-spintronic device applications.