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Marko Milivojević

Publications and source records attributed to Marko Milivojević.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Electrode-tunable nonlocal charge to spin conversion in WSe$_2$-intercalated bilayer graphene

We show that intercalating a WSe$_2$ monolayer into bilayer graphene mediates wavefunction hybridization of the two graphene layers at the Fermi level. These delocalized states entangle both graphene layers, creating a synthetic bilayer graphene with interlayer coupling comparable to the proximity-induced spin-orbit interaction. By analyzing transport properties of a four-terminal device, we demonstrate equal entangled parallel charge currents in both graphene layers, allowing us to unlock the hidden Rashba states via layer-selective chirality manifested in opposite-signed local Rashba-Edelstein signals. We also show nonlocal Rashba-Edelstein and spin Hall effects activated in one graphene layer when a charge current is driven in a spatially adjacent graphene layer. This effect is robust to the twist angle modulation between graphene and WSe$_2$, and to the applied electric field, suggesting its durability.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Machine learning protocol to identify pairing symmetries via quasiparticle interference imaging in Ising superconductors

Identifying the pairing symmetry in unconventional superconductors is essential for reliably characterizing their superconducting states and for enabling their integration into realistic quantum devices. Here, we introduce a machine-learning-guided strategy to determine pairing symmetry from quasiparticle interference (QPI) data, which integrates first-principles calculations, tight-binding modeling, and symmetry-based classification of the superconducting pairing function. We demonstrate the approach on monolayer NbSe2 as an experimentally accessible probe of superconductivity in real materials, within a single scalar-impurity Bogoliubov-de Gennes framework. Our analysis shows that the QPI-to-parameter inverse problem can be solved with high accuracy for most superconducting pairing channels in this setting, indicating that QPI carries rich, learnable information about the superconducting gap structure. Taken together, these results demonstrate that machine-learning-assisted QPI analysis provides a promising pathway for precise learning of superconducting pairing functions in quantum materials.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Gate-tunable synthetic antiferromagnetism with nonrelativistic spin splitting in a graphene/MnS/graphene heterostructure

We propose encapsulating type-A antiferromagnetic semiconductors between graphene layers to realize a gate-tunable synthetic antiferromagnet with nonrelativistic spin splitting, enabling efficient spintronic transport via graphene. Ab initio calculations and tight-binding models of graphene/MnS/graphene heterostructure reveal that gate-tuning of the heterostructure breaks top/bottom graphene equivalence, inducing opposite ferromagnetic proximity exchange that lifts spin degeneracy to yield nonrelativistic spin splitting at the Fermi level, dominating over relativistic effects. The induced effects manifest as conductance dips in spin-resolved transport through proximitized graphene nanoribbons, observable as giant magnetoresistance within a narrow energy window around the Fermi level. Our graphene/type-A antiferromagnetic heterostructure, a readily synthesizable platform incorporating antiferromagnets with nonrelativistic spin splitting, pave the way for gate-manipulated, low-dimensional antiferromagnetic devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Layer-selective chirality switch in bilayer graphene intercalated by Janus monolayers

We predict that intercalating bilayer graphene with nonmagnetic WSSe or magnetic MnSSe Janus monolayers induces a layer-selective switch of the in-plane Rashba spin texture, resulting in opposite spin current directions in the top and bottom graphene layers. First-principles calculations reveal that both Janus monolayers decouple the two graphene layers while simultaneously inducing opposite signs of the proximity-induced Rashba spin-orbit coupling in each. Tight-binding modeling of the proximitized layers, combined with Rashba-Edelstein charge-to-spin conversion calculations, confirms that the spin current direction can be independently controlled by gating the top or bottom graphene layer. Bilayer graphene intercalated by Janus monolayers thus represents a promising platform for gate-tunable, layer-selective spintronic devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Proximity-induced unconventional superconductivity and chiral topological phases in twisted graphene/NbSe$_2$ van der Waals heterostructure

We study proximity-induced unconventional superconductivity in a twisted graphene/NbSe$_2$ van der Waals heterostructure using the Bogoliubov-de Gennes formalism. The normal-state parameters of proximitized graphene are extracted from ab initio calculations at a twist angle of $23.4^\circ$, which reduces the common symmetry of the heterostructure to $\mathbf{C}_3$. We construct symmetry-allowed superconducting gap functions of the graphene layer according to the irreducible representations of the $\mathbf{C}_3$ group, containing singlet and triplet pairing channels and their mixtures. Computing the topological invariants as a function of the mixing parameters, we find a rich phase diagram of chiral topological superconducting phases, characterized by nonzero Chern numbers $C\in\{-4,-2,2,4\}$. While the nature of the superconducting order parameter of NbSe$_2$ remains debated, the formation of the van der Waals heterostructure and the related symmetry reduction can alter the relative stability of competing pairing channels, potentially stabilizing a chiral component that is proximity-induced into graphene and triggers the topological phases identified here, making the twisted graphene/NbSe$_2$ heterostructure a promising platform for chiral topological superconductivity detectable via quasiparticle interference imaging and transport measurements.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Stacking switching between correlation-protected radial Rashba field and persistent spin textures in graphene encapsulated by 1T-TaS$_2$ monolayers

We investigate the electronic structure, spin textures, and charge to spin/orbital transport in graphene encapsulated by 1T-TaS$_{2}$ monolayers in the charge density wave phase. Using first-principles calculations, tight-binding modeling, and the Kubo formalism, we show that the encapsulation stacking dictates fundamentally distinct transport regimes. In the asymmetrical (AA) stacking, proximity fields from both interfaces constructively interfere, yielding a cumulative Rashba phase of nearly $π/2$. This pure radial Rashba spin pattern leads to the unconventional Rashba-Edelstein effect, which robustly dominates over the conventional response by a factor of 35 across a wide energy range. Conversely, the symmetrical (AA') stacking preserves a horizontal mirror symmetry, establishing a stable, purely out-of-plane persistent spin texture. Furthermore, the computed orbital Hall effect is exceptionally efficient, surpassing the spin Hall effect by three orders of magnitude. Within the proximity-induced spectral gaps, the orbital Hall conductivity exhibits a finite plateau, whereas the spin Hall conductivity vanishes. Our findings establish graphene encapsulated heterostructures as a promising system for realizing distinct charge to spin and charge to orbital interconversion regimes determined by the choice of stacking order.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Ferroelectric switching control of spin current in graphene proximitized by In$_2$Se$_3$

By utilizing the proximity effect, we introduce a platform that exploits ferroelectric switching to modulate spin currents in graphene proximitized by ferroelectric In$_2$Se$_3$ monolayer. Through first-principles calculations and tight-binding modeling, we studied the electronic structure of graphene/In$_2$Se$_3$ heterostructure for twist angles of 0$^{\circ}$ and 17.5$^{\circ}$, considering both ferroelectric polarizations. We discover that switching the ferroelectric polarization reverses the sign of the charge-to-spin conversion coefficients, acting as a chirality switch of the in-plane spin texture in graphene. For the twisted heterostructure, we observed emergence of unconventional radial Rashba field for one ferroelectric polarization direction. Additionally, we demonstrated that the Rashba phase can be directly extracted from the ratio of conversion efficiency coefficients, providing a straightforward approach to characterize the in-plane spin texture in graphene. All the unique features of the studied graphene/In$_2$Se$_3$ heterostructure can be experimentally detected, offering a promising approach for developing advanced spintronic devices with enhanced performance and efficiency.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Strain-tuning of spin anisotropy in single-layer phosphorene: insights from Elliott-Yafet and Dyakonov-Perel spin relaxation rates

Materials and systems that exhibit persistent spin texture provide a platform for creating robust spin states that can be used in quantum computing, memory storage, and other advanced technological applications. In this paper we show that persistent spin-texture in single-layer phosphorene electrons close to the $Γ$ point, subjected to the finite perpendicular electric field, can be achieved by appropriately tuning the extrinsic spin-orbit coupling strength using the tensile strain of about $1.2\%$ in the zigzag direction. This is confirmed by detailed numerical investigations of the effects of strain on the intrinsic and extrinsic spin-orbit coupling, and by the effective spin-orbit Hamiltonian of phosphorene electrons and holes around the $Γ$ point, assuming the presence of the perpendicular electric field. Furthermore, the calculated spin relaxation rates due to the Dyakonov-Perel mechanism indicate a giant anisotropy of the in-plane spin, up to $10^5$, which is directly related to the discovered persistent spin texture of phosphorene electrons close to the $Γ$ point. %%%%%%%% We also show, that strain can reverse the anisotropy of spin mixing parameter $b^2$ connected to the Elliott-Yafet spin relaxation mechanism which dominates spin relaxation in phosphorene. We find the conditions under which Elliott-Yafet spin lifetime anisotropy can be largely enhanced due to synergy of spin mixing and g-factor anisotropy. %%%%%%%%%% Our results suggest that spin texture in phosphorene can be modulated by strain, enabling its potential usage in the field of spintronics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Armchair carbon nanotube on Pt and hBN/Pt: from strong metallic contact to coherent spin transport regime

We study spin-orbit proximity effects in an armchair (4,4) carbon nanotube on the Pt(111) surface. By employing first-principles calculations, we show that the Dirac cone of the metallic nanotube is altered due to strong hybridization with the Pt substrate. Inserting a monolayer hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) between the nanotube and the substrate limits the hybridization effects leading to recovering the Dirac cone. The Dirac bands display asymmetric spin splitting, 0.7\,meV for the right movers and 1.7\,meV for the left movers at the K valley, due to the proximity to the Pt substrate. We find that the Dirac states exhibit almost perfect spin polarization, transverse to the nanotube axis and to the stacking direction, forming a proper condition for charge-to-spin conversion with coherent spin transport in the nanotube. We propose an effective Hamiltonian describing the proximity-induced effects on the Dirac electrons and their spin texture.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Hydrostatic pressure control of the spin-orbit proximity effect, spin relaxation, and thermoelectricity in a phosphorene-WSe$_2$ heterostructure

Effective control of interlayer interactions is a key element in modifying the properties of van der Waals heterostructures and the next step toward their practical applications. Focusing on the phosphorene-WSe$_2$ heterostructure, we demonstrate, using first-principles calculations, proximity-induced amplification of the spin-orbit coupling in phosphorene by applying vertical pressure. We simulate external pressure by changing the interlayer distance between bilayer constituents and show that it is possible to tune the spin-orbit field of phosphorene holes in a controllable way. By fitting effective electronic states of the proposed Hamiltonian to the first principles data, we reveal that the spin-orbit coupling in phosphorene hole bands is enhanced more than two times for experimentally accessible pressures up to 17 kbar. Correspondingly, we find that the pressure-enhanced spin-orbit coupling boosts the Dyakonov-Perel spin relaxation mechanism, reducing the spin lifetime of phosphorene holes by factor 4. We further explore the role of the lateral shift on the spin-orbit field and reveal that the spin-orbit strength of phosphorene holes can be sizably modulated when strong pressure is applied. We also found that the thermopower is governed mainly by the phosphorene and pressure reduces the overall thermoelectric efficiency of the heterostructure.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Distinguishing nodal and nonunitary superconductivity in quasiparticle interference of an Ising superconductor with Rashba spin-orbit coupling: an example of NbSe$_2$

The NbSe$_2$ monolayer with Rashba spin-orbit coupling represents a paradigmatic example of an Ising superconductor on a substrate. Using a single-band model and symmetry analysis, we present general superconducting pairing functions beyond the nearest-neighbor approximation, uncovering new types of gap functions, including the nodal singlet gap function and the triplet non-unitary pairing function that breaks time-reversal symmetry. The non-unitarity builts in the asymmetrical band dispersion in the superconducting quasiparticle energy spectra. Performing exact T-matrix calculations of quasiparticle interference due to a single scalar impurity scattering, we found that the interference patterns possess characteristic features distinguishing the type of pairing and possible nematic and chiral symmetry violations.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Giant asymmetric proximity-induced spin-orbit coupling in twisted graphene/SnTe heterostructure

We analyze the spin-orbit coupling effects in a three-degree twisted bilayer heterostructure made of graphene and an in-plane ferroelectric SnTe, with the goal of transferring the spin-orbit coupling from SnTe to graphene, via the proximity effect. Our results indicate that the point-symmetry breaking due to the incompatible mutual symmetry of the twisted monolayers and a strong hybridization has a massive impact on the spin splitting in graphene close to the Dirac point, with the spin splitting values greater than 20 meV. The band structure and spin expectation values of graphene close to the Dirac point can be described using a symmetry-free model, triggering different types of interaction with respect to the threefold symmetric graphene/transition-metal dichalcogenide heterostructure. We show that the strong hybridization of the Dirac cone's right movers with the SnTe band gives rise to a large asymmetric spin splitting in the momentum space. Furthermore, we discover that the ferroelectricity-induced Rashba spin-orbit coupling in graphene is the dominant contribution to the overall Rashba field, with the effective in-plane electric field that is almost aligned with the (in-plane) ferroelectricity direction of the SnTe monolayer. We also predict an anisotropy of the in-plane spin relaxation rates. Our results demonstrate that the group-IV monochalcogenides MX (M=Sn, Ge; X=S, Se, Te) are a viable alternative to transition-metal dichalcogenides for inducing strong spin-orbit coupling in graphene.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Proximity-enabled control of spin-orbit coupling in phosphorene symmetrically and asymmetrically encapsulated by WSe$_2$ monolayers

We analyze, using first-principles calculations and the method of invariants, the spin-orbit proximity effects in trilayer heterostructures comprising phosphorene and encapsulating WSe$_2$ monolayers. We focus on four different configurations, in which the top/bottom WSe$_2$ monolayer is twisted by 0 or 60 degrees with respect to phosphorene, and analyze the spin splitting of phosphorene hole bands around the $Γ$ point. Our results show that the spin texture of phosphorene hole bands can be dramatically modified by different encapsulations of phosphorene monolayer. For a symmetrically encapsulated phosphorene, the momentum-dependent spin-orbit field has the out-of-plane component only, simulating the spin texture of phosphorene-like group-IV monochalcogenide ferroelectrics. Furthermore, we reveal that the direction of the out-of-plane spin-orbit field can be controlled by switching the twist angle from 0 to 60 degrees. Finally, we show that the spin texture in asymmetrically encapsulated phosphorene has the dominant in-plane component of the spin-orbit field, comparable to the Rashba effect in phosphorene with an applied sizable external electric field. Our results confirm that the significant modification and control of the spin texture is possible in low common-symmetry heterostructures, paving the way for using different substrates to modify spin properties in materials important for spintronics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Interplay of altermagnetism and weak ferromagnetism in two-dimensional RuF$_4$

Gaining growing attention in spintronics is a class of magnets displaying zero net magnetization and spin-split electronic bands called altermagnets. Here, by combining density functional theory and symmetry analysis, we show that RuF$_4$ monolayer is a two-dimensional $d$-wave altermagnet. Spin-orbit coupling leads to pronounced spin splitting of the electronic bands at the $Γ$ point by $\sim 100$ meV and turns the RuF$_4$ into a weak ferromagnet due to non trivial spin-momentum locking that cants the Ru magnetic moments. The net magnetic moment scales linearly with the spin-orbit coupling strength. Using group theory we derive an effective spin Hamiltonian capturing the spin-splitting and spin-momentum locking of the electronic bands. Disentanglement of the altermagnetic and spin-orbit coupling induced spin splitting uncovers to which extent the altermagnetic properties are affected by the spin-orbit coupling. Our results move the spotlight to the non trivial spin-momentum locking and weak ferromagnetism in the two-dimensional altermagnets relevant for novel venues in this emerging field of material science research.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Proximity-induced spin-orbit coupling in phosphorene on a WSe$_2$ monolayer

We investigate, using first-principles methods and effective-model simulations, the spin-orbit coupling proximity effects in a bilayer heterostructure comprising phosphorene and WSe$_2$ monolayers. We specifically analyze holes in phosphorene around the $Γ$ point, at which we find a significant increase of the spin-orbit coupling that can be attributed to the strong hybridization of phosphorene with the WSe$_2$ bands. We also propose an effective spin-orbit model based on the ${\bf C}_{1{\rm v}}$ symmetry of the studied heterostructure. The corresponding spin-orbit field can be divided into two parts: the in-plane field, present due to the broken nonsymmorphic horizontal glide mirror plane symmetry, and the dominant out-of-plane field triggered by breaking the out-of-plane rotational symmetry of the phosphorene monolayer. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that a heterostructure with 60$^\circ$ twist angle exhibits an opposite out-of-plane spin-orbit field, indicating that the coupling can effectively be tuned by twisting. The studied phosphorene/WSe$_2$ bilayer is a prototypical low common-symmetry heterostructure in which the proximity effect can be used to engineer the spin texture of the desired material.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Spin-orbit and exchange proximity couplings in graphene/1T-TaS$_2$ heterostructure triggered by a charge density wave

Proximity-induced fine features and spin-textures of the electronic bands in graphene-based van der Waals heterostructures can be explored from the point of tailoring a twist angle. Here we study spin-orbit coupling and exchange coupling engineering of graphene states in the proximity of 1T-TaS$_2$ not triggering the twist, but a charge density wave in 1T-TaS$_2$-a realistic low-temperature phase. Using density functional theory and effective model we found that the emergence of the charge density wave in 1T-TaS$_2$ significantly enhances Rashba spin-orbit splitting in graphene and tilts the spin texture by a significant Rashba angle-in a very similar way as in the conventional twist-angle scenarios. Moreover, the partially filled Ta $d$-band in the charge density wave phase leads to the spontaneous emergence of the in-plane magnetic order that transgresses via proximity from 1T-TaS$_2$ to graphene, hence, simultaneously superimposing along the spin-orbit also the exchange coupling proximity effect. To describe this intricate proximity landscape we have developed an effective model Hamiltonian and provided a minimal set of parameters that excellently reproduces all the spectral features predicted by the first-principles calculations. Conceptually, the charge density wave provides a highly interesting knob to control the fine features of electronic states and to tailor the superimposed proximity effects-a sort of twistronics without twist.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Electrical control of the hole spin qubit in Si and Ge nanowire quantum dots

Strong, direct Rashba spin-orbit coupling in Si, Ge, and the Ge/Si core/shell nanowire quantum dot (QD) allows for all electrical manipulation of the hole spin qubit. Motivated by this fact, we analyze different fabrication-dependent properties of nanowires, such as orientation, cross section, and the presence of strain, with the goal being to find the material and geometry that enables the fastest qubit manipulation, whose speed can be identified using the Rabi frequency. We show that QD in nanowires with a circular cross section (cNWs) enables much weaker driving of the hole spin qubit than QDs embedded in square profile nanowires (sNWs). Assuming the orientation of the Si nanowire that maximizes the spin-orbit effects, our calculations predict that the Rabi frequencies of the hole spin qubits inside Ge and Si sNW QD have comparable strengths for weak electric fields. The global maximum of the Rabi frequency is found in Si sNW QD for strong electric fields, putting this setup ahead of others in creating the hole spin qubit. Finally, we demonstrate that strain in the Si/Ge core/shell nanowire QD decreases the Rabi frequency. In cNW QD, this effect is weak; in sNW QD, it is possible to optimize the impact of strain with the appropriate tuning of the electric field strength.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Simulating indefinite causal order with Rindler observers

Realization of indefinite causal order (ICO), a theoretical possibility that even causal relations between physical events can be subjected to quantum superposition, apart from its general significance for the fundamental physics research, would also enable quantum information processing that outperforms protocols in which the underlying causal structure is definite. In this paper, we start with a proposition that an observer in a state of quantum superposition of being at two different relative distances from the event horizon of a black hole, effectively resides in ICO space-time generated by the black hole. By invoking the fact that the near-horizon geometry of a Schwarzschild black hole is that of a Rindler space-time, we propose a way to simulate an observer in ICO space-time by a Rindler observer in a state of superposition of having two different proper accelerations. By extension, a pair of Rindler observers with entangled proper accelerations simulates a pair of entangled ICO observers. Moreover, these Rindler-systems might have a plausible experimental realization by means of optomechanical resonators.

quant-ph↗