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Transition metal dichalcogenide surfaces as scattering targets in spin-polarization detectors: A case study of MoS2

C. Angrick1,*, A. Henriksen1, N. Edossa1, A. Reimann1, M. Ewert2,3, L. Buß2,3, J. Falta3, J. I. Flege2, and M. Donath1,†

  • *Contact author: christoph.angrick@uni-muenster.de
  • †Contact author: markus.donath@uni-muenster.de
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Phys. Rev. B 112, 235408 – Published 4 December, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/fln2-pf6n

Abstract

The suitability of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) for the use as scattering targets in electron spin-polarization detectors is put to a paradigmatic test: a case study of MoS2 is performed. Therefore, the electron reflectivity, the Sherman function, and the figure of merit are measured for the following samples: a single layer of MoS2 on Au(111) and cleaved MoS2 single-crystal surfaces. MoS2 offers promising features for the use in spin-polarization detection: working points with a reversed sign of the Sherman function and a long-term target stability. To overcome the low figure of merit of MoS2, the closely-related 2D material WS2 with higher spin-orbit interaction is proposed, which may resemble the promising features with higher Sherman function. This study demonstrates the potential suitability of 2D materials such as TMDCs as scattering targets in spin-polarization detectors.

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Phys. Rev. B 112, 235408– Published 4 December, 2025
  • Received 4 July 2025
  • Accepted 10 November 2025
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