Effect of Rashba spin-orbit coupling on topological phases in monolayer
Phys. Rev. B 111, 235451 – Published 30 June, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/dxz2-yj9b
Abstract
The interplay of Rashba and quantum spin Hall effects in non-centrosymmetric systems presents both challenges and opportunities for spintronic applications. While Rashba spin-orbit coupling can disrupt the quantum spin Hall phase, their coexistence may enable additional spintronic functionalities by coupling spin-momentum locking in the bulk with topologically protected edge states. Using the monolayer, a predicted polar two-dimensional topological insulator, as a case study, we investigate how intrinsic and Rashba spin-orbit coupling compete within a single material. Our results identify key conditions under which sizable Rashba spin splitting can coexist with a stable quantum spin Hall phase, offering guidance for engineering quantum spin Hall insulators with enhanced spintronic capabilities.