Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation

    Efficient spin transfer in the van der Waals heterostructure WTe2/Fe3GeTe2 enabled by direct interlayer p-orbital hybridization

    H. L. Ning1,*, M. Q. Dong2,*, X. Zhang3,†, J. S. Huang1, B. Liu2, Zhi-Xin Guo1,‡, and Y. Dong4,§

    • 1State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, China
    • 2Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Institute of Computational Physical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
    • 3Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Surface Engineering and Remanufacturing College of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Xi'an University, Xi'an 710065, China
    • 4State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China

    • *These authors contributed equally to this work.
    • †Contact author: zhangxian1@outlook.com
    • ‡Contact author: zxguo08@xjtu.edu.cn
    • §Contact author: dongyanfmmu@qq.com

    Phys. Rev. B 112, 165426 – Published 23 October, 2025

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/s1r9-dlhw

    Abstract

    Recent experiments have demonstrated efficient spin transfer across layers in the van der Waals heterostructure composed of WTe2 and Fe3GeTe2, signaling a potential breakthrough in developing all–van der Waals spin-orbit torque devices. However, the reasons behind the unusually high interlayer spin transparency observed, despite the weak van der Waals interactions between layers, remain unclear. In this study, we employ density functional theory and the nonequilibrium Green's function method to explore this phenomenon. We find that the efficient cross-layer spin transfer arises from direct hybridization of p-orbitals between tellurium atoms at the interface. This interlayer orbital hybridization lowers the electronic potential barrier and significantly modifies the spin-polarized electronic structure of Fe3GeTe2. Consequently, an effective channel for spin-polarized transport is established between WTe2 and Fe3GeTe2, leading to high interlayer spin transparency. Combining this enhanced spin transparency with the large spin Hall angle of WTe2 explains the high spin-orbit torque efficiency observed experimentally. Furthermore, we predict that applying a gate voltage can further increase this efficiency. Our findings offer a pathway for designing high-performance, all–van der Waals spin-orbit torque devices.

    Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

    Authorization Required

    We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.

    Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

    References (Subscription Required)

    Outline

    Information

    Sign In to Your Journals Account

    Filter

    Filter

    Article Lookup

    Enter a citation