Intrinsic persistent spin helix in 2D T-XY (X$\neq$Y=P, As, Sb and Bi)

Abstract

The persistent spin helix (PSH) is robust against spin-independent scattering and renders an extremely long spin lifetime, which can improve the performance of potential spintronic devices. To achieve the PSH, a unidirectional spin configuration is required in the momentum space. Here, T-XY (X$\neq$Y=P, As, Sb and Bi) monolayers with dynamical, mechanical and thermal stabilities are predicted to intrinsically possess PSH. Due to the $C_{2\upsilon}$ point-group symmetry, a unidirectional spin configuration is preserved in the out-of-plane direction for both conduction and valence bands around the high-symmetry $\Gamma$ point. That is, the expectation value of the spin $S$ only has the out-of-plane component $S_z$. The application of an out-of-plane external electric field can induce in-plane components $S_x$ and $S_y$, thus offering a promising platform for the on-off logical functionality of spin devices. Our work reveals a new family of T-phase two-dimensional (2D) materials, which could provide promising applications in spintronic devices.