Tunable spin-polarized edge currents in proximitized transition metal dichalcogenides

Abstract

We explore proximity-induced ferromagnetism on transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD), focusing on molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe${}_2$) ribbons with zigzag edges, deposited on ferromagnetic europium oxide (EuO). A three-orbital tight-binding model incorporates the exchange and Rashba fields induced by proximity to the EuO substrate. For in-gap Fermi levels, electronic modes in the nanoribbon are strongly spin-polarized and localized along the edges, acting as one-dimensional (1D) conducting channels with tunable spin-polarized currents. Hybrid structures such as the MoTe${}_2$/EuO configuration can serve as building blocks for spintronic devices, and provide versatile platforms to further understand proximity effects in diverse materials systems.

6 pages, 4 figures