Magnon Straintronics in the 2D van der Waals Ferromagnet CrSBr from First-Principles br

The recent isolation of two-dimensional (2D) magnets offers tantalizing opportunities for spintronics and magnonics at the limit of miniaturization. One of the key advantages of atomically thin materials is their outstanding deformation capacity, which provides an exciting avenue to control their properties by strain engineering. Herein, we investigate the magnetic properties, magnon dispersion, and spin dynamics of the air-stable 2D magnetic semiconductor CrSBr (TC = 146 K) under mechanical strain using first-principles calculations. Our results provide a deep microscopic analysis of the competing interactions that stabilize the long-range ferromagnetic order in the monolayer. We showcase that the magnon dynamics of CrSBr can be modified selectively along the two main crystallographic directions as a function of applied strain, probing the potential of this quasi-1D electronic system for magnon straintronics applications. Moreover, we predict a strain-driven enhancement of TC by similar to 30%, allowing the propagation of spin waves at higher temperatures.

Automated summary

The recent isolation of two-dimensional magnets has opened up exciting possibilities for spintronics and magnonics in miniaturization. Atomically thin materials have outstanding deformation capacity, which allows their properties to be controlled through strain engineering. In this study, the magnetic properties, magnon dispersion, and spin dynamics of the air-stable 2D magnetic semiconductor CrSBr under mechanical strain were investigated using first-principles calculations. The results provide a detailed analysis of the competing interactions that stabilize the long-range ferromagnetic order in the monolayer. It is shown that the magnon dynamics of CrSBr can be selectively modified along different crystallographic directions by applied strain, indicating the potential of this quasi-1D electronic system for magnon straintronics applications. Additionally, a 30% increase in TC, which allows spin waves to propagate at higher temperatures, is predicted to be driven by strain.