DataVXAdvanced MaterialsPaper
journal article·2018-12Open access

Ultrafast Spin‐to‐Charge Conversion at the Surface of Topological Insulator Thin Films

Xinbo Wang, Liang Cheng, Dapeng Zhu, Yang Wu, Mengji Chen, Yi Wang, Daming Zhao, Chris B. Boothroyd, Yeng Ming Lam, Jian‐Xin Zhu, Marco Battiato, Justin C. W. Song, Hyunsoo Yang, Elbert E. M. Chia

Advanced Materials· Volume 30· Issue 52
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Source abstract

Abstract

Abstract Strong spin–orbit coupling, resulting in the formation of spin‐momentum‐locked surface states, endows topological insulators with superior spin‐to‐charge conversion characteristics, though the dynamics that govern it have remained elusive. Here, an all‐optical method is presented, which enables unprecedented tracking of the ultrafast dynamics of spin‐to‐charge conversion in a prototypical topological insulator Bi2Se3/ferromagnetic Co heterostructure, down to the sub‐picosecond timescale. Compared to pure Bi2Se3 or Co, a giant terahertz emission is observed in the heterostructure that originates from spin‐to‐charge conversion, in which the topological surface states play a crucial role. A 0.12 ps timescale is identified that sets a technological speed limit of spin‐to‐charge conversion processes in topological insulators. In addition, it is shown that the spin‐to‐charge conversion efficiency is temperature independent in Bi2Se3 as expected from the nature of the surface states, paving the way for designing next‐generation high‐speed optospintronic devices based on topological insulators at room temperature.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Topological Materials and Phenomena · Advanced Condensed Matter Physics · Graphene research and applications

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Division of Physics and Applied Physics School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Nanyang Technological University 21 Nanyang Link Singapore 637371 Singapore

Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics Institute of Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 China

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering National University of Singapore Singapore 117576 Singapore

School of Materials Science and Engineering Nanyang Technological University 50 Nanyang Avenue Singapore 639798 Singapore

Theoretical Division and Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies Los Alamos National Laboratory NM 87545 USA

Institute of Solid State Physics Vienna University of Technology 1040 Vienna Austria

Institute of High Performance Computing Agency for Science, Technology, and Research Singapore 138632 Singapore

Funding

Ministry of Education - Singapore · National Research Foundation Singapore · Nanyang Technological University · Austrian Science Fund

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