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Determining spin-orbit coupling in graphene by quasiparticle interference imaging

Author

Listed:
  • Lihuan Sun

    (University of Geneva)

  • Louk Rademaker

    (University of Geneva
    University of Geneva)

  • Diego Mauro

    (University of Geneva
    University of Geneva)

  • Alessandro Scarfato

    (University of Geneva)

  • Árpád Pásztor

    (University of Geneva)

  • Ignacio Gutiérrez-Lezama

    (University of Geneva
    University of Geneva)

  • Zhe Wang

    (University of Geneva
    Xi’an Jiaotong University)

  • Jose Martinez-Castro

    (University of Geneva)

  • Alberto F. Morpurgo

    (University of Geneva
    University of Geneva)

  • Christoph Renner

    (University of Geneva)

Abstract

Inducing and controlling spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in graphene is key to create topological states of matter, and for the realization of spintronic devices. Placing graphene onto a transition metal dichalcogenide is currently the most successful strategy to achieve this goal, but there is no consensus as to the nature and the magnitude of the induced SOC. Here, we show that the presence of backscattering in graphene-on-WSe2 heterostructures can be used to probe SOC and to determine its strength quantitatively, by imaging quasiparticle interference with a scanning tunneling microscope. A detailed theoretical analysis of the Fourier transform of quasiparticle interference images reveals that the induced SOC consists of a valley-Zeeman (λvZ ≈ 2 meV) and a Rashba (λR ≈ 15 meV) term, one order of magnitude larger than what theory predicts, but in excellent agreement with earlier transport experiments. The validity of our analysis is confirmed by measurements on a 30 degree twist angle heterostructure that exhibits no backscattering, as expected from symmetry considerations. Our results demonstrate a viable strategy to determine SOC quantitatively by imaging quasiparticle interference.

Suggested Citation

  • Lihuan Sun & Louk Rademaker & Diego Mauro & Alessandro Scarfato & Árpád Pásztor & Ignacio Gutiérrez-Lezama & Zhe Wang & Jose Martinez-Castro & Alberto F. Morpurgo & Christoph Renner, 2023. "Determining spin-orbit coupling in graphene by quasiparticle interference imaging," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-39453-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39453-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. J. O. Island & X. Cui & C. Lewandowski & J. Y. Khoo & E. M. Spanton & H. Zhou & D. Rhodes & J. C. Hone & T. Taniguchi & K. Watanabe & L. S. Levitov & M. P. Zaletel & A. F. Young, 2019. "Spin–orbit-driven band inversion in bilayer graphene by the van der Waals proximity effect," Nature, Nature, vol. 571(7763), pages 85-89, July.
    2. A. Avsar & J. Y. Tan & T. Taychatanapat & J. Balakrishnan & G.K.W. Koon & Y. Yeo & J. Lahiri & A. Carvalho & A. S. Rodin & E.C.T. O’Farrell & G. Eda & A. H. Castro Neto & B. Özyilmaz, 2014. "Spin–orbit proximity effect in graphene," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-6, December.
    3. Zhe Wang & Dong–Keun Ki & Hua Chen & Helmuth Berger & Allan H. MacDonald & Alberto F. Morpurgo, 2015. "Strong interface-induced spin–orbit interaction in graphene on WS2," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-7, November.
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