Charge-spin conversion effects in topological semimetal

An outstanding feature of topological quantum materials is their unique spin topology in the electronic band structures with an expected novel charge to spin conversion effects. In the Weyl semimetal candidate WTe2, we observed both conventional (1) and unconventional (2) charge to spin conversion effects at room temperature. In addition to the conventional spin Hall and Rashba Edelstein effects, we also measured an unconventional charge to spin conversion component in WTe2. Such a large spin polarization can be possible in WTe2 due to a reduced crystal symmetry combined with its large spin Berry curvature, spin orbit interaction with a novel spin texture of the Fermi states (2). These findings provide an efficient route for generating spin polarization in low symmetry topological materials and their heterostructures.
References.
1. B. Zhao, et al., S.P. Dash, Physical Review Research 2 (1), 013286 (2020)
2. B. Zhao, et al., S.P. Dash, Advanced Materials, 2000818 (2020).