Spontaneous and reversible spin-splitting in ferroelectric A-type antiferromagnetism

Abstract

Antiferromagnetic (AFM) spintronics can be intrinsically more energy-saving and fast-operating in device applications. In general, the net magnetization of AFM materials is fully compensated, and the spontaneous spin-splitting is absent, which hinders the control and detection of antiferromagnetism. Here, we propose a possible way to produce spin-splitting in A-type antiferromagnetism with ferroelectric (FE) polarization in the absence of spin–orbital coupling (SOC). Based on first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that the band splitting between spin-up and spin-down channels can be induced in FE A-type antiferromagnetism; for example, a sliding FE bilayer and common FE bilayer. Although no net magnetization is generated in these A-type antiferromagnetisms, the FE polarization can create a layer-dependent electrostatic potential, which makes electronic bands in different layers stagger, producing spin splitting. Moreover, the spontaneous spin-splitting in FE A-type antiferromagnetism is ferroelectrically controllable and reversible. Our work opens a promising avenue for FE antiferromagnetic spintronics.