Giant Rashba splitting in one-dimensional atomic tellurium chains.

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Quantum Mechanics

Background:

• Achieving one-dimensional (1D) systems with pure 1D bands and strong Rashba spin splitting is vital for Majorana fermions and spin transport.
• Current challenges limit the realization of such ideal 1D systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize a 1D system exhibiting purely 1D bands and significant Rashba spin splitting.
• To explore the tunability of Rashba spin splitting through strain and structural modifications.

Main Methods:

• First-principles calculations were employed to investigate the electronic and spin properties of atomic Tellurium (Te) chains.
• Analysis focused on band structure, spin splitting parameters, and the influence of strain and structural distortion.

Main Results:

• Atomic Tellurium chains were found to possess purely 1D bands and exhibit giant Rashba spin splitting.
• The magnitude of Rashba spin splitting is highly sensitive to strain and structural distortions.
• Helical Te chains facilitate a synergy between orbital angular momentum and in-chain potential gradients, enhancing spin splitting.

Conclusions:

• Atomic Te chains represent a promising 1D system for giant Rashba spin splitting.
• These findings offer a pathway for developing novel spintronic devices and exploring Majorana fermions.
• The study provides insights into engineering spin splitting in other 1D materials.