Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation

    Layer Edelstein Effect

    Binchang Zhou1, Pan Zhou1,2,*, Baoru Pan2, Yuzhong Hu2, Songmin Liu2, and Lizhong Sun1,†

    • 1Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Materials and Application Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China
    • 2Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Thin Film Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China

    • *Contact author: zhoupan71234@xtu.edu.cn
    • †Contact author: lzsun@xtu.edu.cn

    Phys. Rev. Lett. 137, 076401 – Published 11 August, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/qhvs-pfkq

    Abstract

    Electrical control of magnetism represents a fundamental route toward next-generation spintronic functionalities. In this Letter, we introduce a universal current-induced spin phenomenon in bilayer systems, termed the layer Edelstein effect (LEE), which serves as the natural counterpart of the layer Hall effect in real space. It is defined by the emergence of layer-resolved spin magnetizations with opposite components on the top and bottom layers, driven by an in-plane charge current and controllable by an external electric field. We establish the general existence of the LEE using a minimal bilayer k·p theory. By combining symmetry analysis with a general bilayer stacking framework, we derive a model-independent symmetry criterion demonstrating that the LEE is generically allowed in a broad class of nonmagnetic bilayer stacking systems. We further show that the LEE admits two universal manifestations: explicit layer-opposite spin magnetization components mandated directly by symmetry, and components become activated upon symmetry reduction by external electric fields. First-principles calculations on stacked bilayer MoSSe, MoTe2, and WTe2 confirm the predicted effect and illustrate their experimental feasibility. Our Letter establishes the LEE as a generic symmetry-governed response of bilayer systems, providing a unified conceptual framework for electrically generating and manipulating layer-resolved spin polarization.

    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