Electric field modulation of sublattice exchange coupling and anisotropic magnon in a CrOCl monolayer
Phys. Rev. B 112, 134428 – Published 16 October, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/vs22-tqp2
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) anisotropic magnetic van der Waals (vdW) materials offer unique opportunities for tailoring magnetic properties via symmetry engineering. Here, we theoretically investigate how external electric fields modulate the magnetic interactions and spin dynamics in the anisotropic CrOCl monolayer. Our calculations demonstrate that electric fields break the inversion symmetry between Cr sublattices in the monolayer, lifting the degeneracy of intrasublattice exchange coupling. This symmetry breaking enhances the splitting of acoustic and optical magnon modes, particularly along high-symmetry directions. Additionally, the spin Seebeck coefficient, which governs spin current generation from temperature gradients, increases under electric fields. Our work uncovers the critical role of electric-field-tuned symmetry in tailoring magnetic interactions and spin dynamics in 2D anisotropic vdW magnets, and provides a promising strategy for engineering magnonic properties in 2D materials, paving the way for advanced spintronic applications.