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Crystallographic Orientation Controls Contact and Spin-Photoresponse in 2D Magnetic Heterostructures
Mengyu Liu1,2, Shaowen Xu1, Jiehao He1,2
1School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou,310024, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|August 8, 2026
Summary
Crystallographic orientation in CrSBr/MnSBr heterojunctions controls electrical contact type and spin-polarized photocurrent. This discovery enables programmable spin-optoelectronic devices with tunable infrared/ultraviolet responses.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Electronics
Background:
- Two-dimensional (2D) ferromagnetic semiconductors like CrSBr possess desirable properties for spintronics, including air stability and magnetic anisotropy.
- However, inefficient electrical contacts hinder effective carrier injection and spin transport in devices based on these materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how crystallographic orientation in CrSBr/MnSBr heterojunctions influences contact properties and spin-dependent photocurrent.
- To establish design principles for engineering spin-optoelectronic devices by controlling interface dimensionality and magnetic configuration.
Main Methods:
- Utilized density functional theory (DFT) and non-equilibrium Green function (NEGF) transport simulations.
- Compared lateral (x-, y-type) and vertical (z-type) CrSBr/MnSBr interfaces to analyze contact characteristics.
Main Results:
- Lateral heterojunctions exhibit strong interfacial hybridization, forming low-barrier n-type or p-type Ohmic contacts.
- Vertical heterojunctions display Schottky barriers due to weak van der Waals coupling.
- Illuminated heterostructures show anisotropic, spin-polarized photocurrents with spectral selectivity based on magnetic configuration (parallel: infrared, antiparallel: ultraviolet).
Conclusions:
- Interface dimensionality critically determines Ohmic versus Schottky contact behavior.
- Magnetic configuration provides control over infrared/ultraviolet spectral selectivity in photocurrent.
- These findings unlock new design strategies for programmable spin-optoelectronic devices.
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