Highly efficient non-relativistic Edelstein effect in nodal p-wave magnets

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Spintronics

Background:

• The Edelstein effect (EE) traditionally relies on spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and non-centrosymmetric crystal structures, often involving heavy elements.
• Efficient spin-charge conversion is crucial for developing advanced spintronic devices.
• Existing methods for EE are limited by material requirements and efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate charge-to-spin conversion mechanisms beyond traditional spin-orbit coupling.
• To explore the potential of coplanar p-wave magnets for efficient spin-charge conversion.
• To characterize the non-relativistic Edelstein effect (NREE) and its unique properties.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical modeling using minimal tight-binding models to illustrate the NREE.
• First-principles calculations to identify and evaluate candidate materials.
• Analysis of spin symmetries and resulting spin density polarization.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated high-efficiency spin-charge conversion in p-wave magnets without relying on SOC.
• Identified a distinct NREE with anisotropic response and out-of-plane spin polarization.
• CeNiAsO identified as a promising NREE material with a response ~25 times larger than maximal relativistic EE.

Conclusions:

• P-wave magnets offer a novel platform for achieving highly efficient spin-charge conversion via NREE.
• The NREE presents a unique phenomenon distinct from the relativistic EE, driven by spin symmetries.
• This work opens new avenues for designing efficient spintronic materials and devices.