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Symmetry-Forbidden Intraband Transitions Leading to Ultralow Gilbert Damping in van der Waals Ferromagnets

Weizhao Chen1,2, Yu Zhang1, Yi Liu3,4,*, and Zhe Yuan2,5,†

  • 1Center for Advanced Quantum Studies and School of Physics and Astronomy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
  • 2Interdisciplinary Center for Theoretical Physics and Information Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
  • 3Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
  • 4Department of Physics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
  • 5State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China

  • *Contact author: yiliu42@shu.edu.cn
  • †Contact author: yuanz@fudan.edu.cn
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Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 176704 – Published 21 October, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/j3jy-yl42

Abstract

Based upon first-principles calculations, we report ultralow Gilbert damping in two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals ferromagnets. The low damping occurs at weak scattering because mirror symmetry prohibits intraband transitions. The monotonic dependence on the electronic scattering rate suggests the absent lower limit, in contrast to conventional ferromagnetic materials. Breaking mirror symmetry through magnetization rotation, layer stacking, or structural phase transition significantly increases damping by enabling intraband transitions. Topological nodal lines, also protected by mirror symmetry, contribute substantially to interband-transition-mediated damping, which can be tuned by adjusting the Fermi level. Our findings elucidate the unique characteristics of Gilbert damping in 2D van der Waals ferromagnets, providing valuable insights for designing low-dimensional spintronic devices with high energy efficiency.

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Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 176704– Published 21 October, 2025
  • Received 12 December 2024
  • Accepted 30 September 2025
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