2020/10/31 by Matías Berdakin, Esteban A. Rodríguez-Mena, L. E. F. Foa Torres · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #cond-mat.mes-hall
paper · pdf · doi:10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c00420
published as Nano Letters 21, 3177 (2021) · 7 pages, 4 figures
arxiv created 2021/01/31 · arxiv updated 2021/04/21
Harnessing the unique features of topological materials for the development of a new generation of topological based devices is a challenge of paramount importance. Using Floquet scattering theory combined with atomistic models we study the interplay between laser illumination, spin and topology in a two-dimensional material with spin-orbit coupling. Starting from a topological phase, we show how laser illumination can selectively disrupt the topological edge states depending on their spin. This is manifested by the generation of pure spin currents and spin-polarized charge photocurrents under linearly and circularly polarized laser-illumination, respectively. Our results open a path for the generation and control of spin-polarized photocurrents.