Photocurrents of charge and spin in single-layer Fe${}_3$GeTe${}_2$

Abstract

In the realm of two-dimensional materials magnetic and transport properties of a unique representative $-$ Fe${}_3$GeTe${}_2$ $-$ attract ever increasing attention. Here, we use a developed first-principles method for calculating laser-induced response to study the emergence of photo-induced currents of charge and spin in single-layer Fe${}_3$GeTe${}_2$, which are of second order in the electric field. We provide a symmetry analysis of the emergent photocurrents in the system finding it to be in excellent agreement with ab-initio calculations. We analyse the magnitude and behavior of the charge photocurrents with respect to disorder strength, frequency and band filling. Remarkably, not only do we find a large charge current response, but also predict that Fe${}_3$GeTe${}_2$ can serve as a source of significant laser-induced spin-currents, which makes this material as a promising platform for various applications in optospintronics.