Tunable spin-photovoltaic effect in zigzag MoS2 nanoribbons

Abstract

This article introduces a method for generating spin-polarized photocurrent through light radiation on zigzag MoS2 nanoribbons. In this regard, we investigate local manipulation by exposing edge states to (i) a ferromagnetic, (ii) an antiferromagnetic exchange field, (iii) a parallel and an antiparallel electric field. These local manipulations at the edges with intrinsic spin-orbit interaction could produce a spin-polarized photocurrent and manipulate optical properties. Even at one edge of the nanoribbon, applying the exchange field could induce a fully spin polarization by light irradiation. Efficient quantum efficiency, significant optical spin polarization, and spin-polarized photocurrent make zigzag MoS2 nanoribbon an effective structure for improving the performance of spin-photovoltaic devices.