Electrically Switchable Persistent Spin Texture in a Two-Dimensional Hybrid Perovskite Ferroelectric

As a momentum-independent spin configuration, persistent spin texture (PST) could avoid spin relaxation and play an advantageous role in spin lifetime. Nevertheless, manipulation of PST is a challenge due to the limited materials and ambiguous structure-property relationships. Herein, we present electrically switchable PST in a new 2D perovskite ferroelectric, (PA)(2)CsPb2Br7 (where PA is n-pentylammonium), which has a high Curie temperature of 349 K, evident spontaneous polarization (3.2 mu C cm(-2)) and a low coercive electric field of 5.3 kV cm(-1). The combination of symmetry-breaking in ferroelectrics and effective spin-orbit field facilitates intrinsic PST in the bulk and monolayer structure models. Strikingly, the directions of spin texture are reversible by switching the spontaneous electric polarization. This electric switching behavior relates to the tilting of PbBr6 octahedra and the reorientation of organic PA(+) cations. Our studies on ferroelectric PST of 2D hybrid perovskites afford a platform for electrical spin texture manipulation.

Automated summary

In this study, electrically switchable persistent spin texture (PST) was achieved in a new 2D perovskite ferroelectric material. The mechanism behind this phenomenon was found to be related to the ferroelectric properties and spin-orbit interaction. The direction of spin texture could be reversibly switched by changing the tilting of PbBr6 octahedra and the reorientation of organic cations. This discovery provides a new platform for electrically controlling spin texture.