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    Ferroelectric polarization switches ultrafast spin dynamics in CrI3/α−In2Se3 heterostructure

    Xueke Yu1, Bingxue Li1, Qi Gao1, Jiuyu Sun2,*, Xiuyun Zhang1,†, Wei Pei1,‡, Yan Su3, and Jijun Zhao4,5

    • 1College of Physical Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu 225009, China
    • 2Department of Applied Physics and MIIT Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Microstructure and Quantum Sensing, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
    • 3Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams (Dalian University of Technology), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116024, China
    • 4Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Structure and Fundamental Interactions of Matter, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, School of Physics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
    • 5Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Quantum Matter, Frontier Research Institute for Physics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China

    • *Contact author: sunjiuyu@njust.edu.cn
    • †Contact author: xyzhang@yzu.edu.cn
    • ‡Contact author: pwei@yzu.edu.cn

    Phys. Rev. B 114, 185428 – Published 28 September, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/61jx-t2ky

    Abstract

    Controlling spin dynamics at ultrafast timescales is crucial for next-generation spintronic and quantum devices, yet achieving precise control and understanding the underlying microscopic mechanisms remain challenging. Here, we demonstrate that ferroelectric polarization in CrI3/α−In2Se3 heterostructures serves as a multifunctional switch that selectively regulates spin-relaxation behavior. Using time-dependent density functional theory combined with nonadiabatic molecular dynamics, we show that femtosecond laser excitation induces similar ultrafast demagnetization in both polarization states, while the subsequent relaxation dynamics of photoexcited carriers diverge dramatically. Polarization-controlled interfacial electric fields and band alignments steer photoexcited electrons along two distinct pathways: a stepwise interlayer transfer in the polarization-up (P↑) configuration and a direct intralayer spin-flip in the polarization-down (P↓) configuration. These bifurcated dynamics originate from the ferroelectric-tuned interplay between spin-orbit coupling and electron-phonon interactions. These findings establish a microscopic link between ferroelectric control, spin-orbital coupling, electron-phonon coupling, and ultrafast spin dynamics, offering a route for all-optical, non-volatile manipulation of spins in two-dimensional heterostructures.

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