Chirality and Rashba-related effects in the spin texture of a 2D centro-symmetric ferromagnet: the case of CrI3 bilayer

Abstract

The newly discovered two-dimensional magnetic semiconductors such as CrI$_3$ have triggered a surge of interest stemming from their exotic spin-dependent properties and potential applications in spintronics and magneto-optoelectronics. Using first-principle density-functional-theory calculations, we investigate the properties of the spin-polarization texture in momentum space in the prototype 2D centrosymmetric ferromagnetic (FM) bilayer of CrI$_3$, with perpendicular magnetization. The FM bilayer displays a rich in-plane spin texture in its highest valence bands. We show the existence of two distinct spin canting effects, which result from the coupling of FM order with structural chirality and electric polarization, in establishing the in-plane spin texture. The first effect is generated by the chirality of the layer stacking and the spin-orbit-polarized nature of the valence states, and yields the same canting on both layers. The second effect is a Rashba-related effect, which in a centrosymmetric ferromagnet induces in a single electronic state two opposite spin-canted components on the two layers. Furthermore, using the FM bilayer as an example, we provide general rules imposed by magnetic-space-group symmetries on spin-polarization vectors, serving as guidelines for the shape of the spin texture in the Brillouin zone of magnetic crystals. Finally, we show that the above effects can be effectively used to manipulate the spin texture via compressive strain, which induces in the FM bilayer valence-band-edge states with canted spins.