Search Results (330)

The proliferation of intelligent edge devices demands compact, low-power hardware capable of dynamically switching between sensing, logic, and learning tasks—a versatility that traditional multi-chip solutions fundamentally lack. Here, we demonstrate a reconfigurable spin–orbit torque (SOT) device based on an FeTb/Ru/Co synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) heterostructure. By modulating the input current amplitude, the device dynamically switches between two distinct operating modes: saturation and activation. In the saturation regime (>80 mA), deterministic magnetization reversal enables Boolean logic operations (AND, NOR). In the activation regime (<80 mA), gradual, non-volatile conductance modulation emulates synaptic plasticity. Benefiting from the strong antiferromagnetic coupling and near-zero net magnetization of the SAF structure, all operations are achieved without external magnetic fields. This single-device, dual-mode reconfigurable architecture establishes a new paradigm for high-density, low-power, multifunctional in-memory computing units, with promise for advancing adaptive edge computing chips. Full article

The study presents a comprehensive first-principles investigation of the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of rocksalt scandium nitride (ScN) and its Cr- and Mn-doped derivatives using spin-polarized density-functional theory within the GGA + U (U_Cr = 3.5 eV, U_Mn = 2.7 eV) and HSE06 frameworks. Pristine ScN crystallizes in the cubic Fm$\bar{3}$m structure and exhibits narrow-gap semiconducting behavior, with an indirect band gap of 0.82 eV obtained from hybrid-functional calculations, in excellent agreement with reported theoretical values. Substitutional doping with Cr and Mn introduces localized 3d states near the Fermi level, driving a transition toward spin-polarized metallic or half-metallic behavior accompanied by robust ferromagnetism. Density-of-states and band-structure analyses reveal that magnetism and charge transport in the doped systems are dominated by exchange-split transition-metal 3d states hybridized with N-2p orbitals. Total energy calculations confirm ferromagnetic ground states for both Cr- and Mn-doped ScN, with Mn substitution yielding stronger exchange stabilization and higher magnetic moments. Magnetocrystalline anisotropy energies, evaluated using the force-theorem approach, are found to be negligibly small, indicating weak anisotropy consistent with the moderate spin–orbit coupling strength in ScN-based nitrides. Nevertheless, symmetry breaking around dopant sites gives rise to a finite Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction, leading to weak spin canting and non-collinear magnetic tendencies. The interplay between magnetic exchange coupling, spin–orbit interaction, and local inversion symmetry breaking positions of Cr- and Mn-doped ScN as promising dilute magnetic semiconductors with tunable spin polarization and chiral magnetic interactions, offering a viable platform for nitride-based spintronic and magneto-electronic applications. Full article

In this work, a comprehensive first-principles investigation of the electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of pristine and Fe-, Co-, and Ni-doped MoS₂ monolayers is presented within the framework of density functional theory. Substitutional transition-metal doping at the Mo site is shown to induce spin-polarized impurity states within the pristine band gap, leading to significant modifications of the electronic structure, including metallic, semimetallic, or half-metallic behavior depending on the dopant species. The calculated spin-resolved band structures and projected density of states reveal a strong hybridization between the dopant $3d$ orbitals and the Mo-$4d$/S-$3p$ states, giving rise to sizable magnetic moments and dopant-dependent exchange splitting. When spin–orbit coupling is included, the combined effect of exchange interactions and relativistic effects leads to an effective valley splitting at the K and $K^{\prime }$ points, whose magnitude and sign depend sensitively on the chemical nature of the dopant. Optical properties are analyzed within a linear-response framework, showing pronounced dopant-induced modifications of the optical spectra. While the pristine monolayer exhibits well-defined excitonic features, transition-metal substitution introduces low-energy optical transitions associated with impurity-related states. Consequently, the exciton binding energies estimated from the difference between the electronic and optical gaps are interpreted as effective measures of dopant-induced perturbations to optical transitions, rather than as quantitative many-body excitonic binding energies in the strict sense. These results provide microscopic insight into the interplay between magnetism, spin–orbit coupling, and optical response in doped MoS₂ monolayers, highlighting the potential of transition-metal substitution as a route to engineer spin- and valley-dependent phenomena in two-dimensional materials. Full article

Interlayer-sliding ferroelectricity in van der Waals bilayers enables ultralow-power switching, but practical devices are often limited by contact/interface scattering and weak coupling between polarization and transport. We propose homophase lateral architectures based on bilayer Janus MoSSe: a 1T/2H/1T ferroelectric tunnel homojunction and an H-phase lateral p–i–n photodetector (artificially doped electrode). Metallic 1T electrodes largely eliminate contact barriers and maximize polarization-driven tunneling modulation. Using non-equilibrium Green’s function–density functional theory (Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof approximation, without explicit spin–orbit coupling), we find that AB to BA sliding reduces the current from the nA range to the pA range, with the minimum current of|I_OFF|_min = 2.83 pA, yielding giant tunneling electroresistance up to 5.3 × 10⁴%. Projected local density of states reveals a non-rigid long-range potential redistribution that reshapes the tunneling barrier and opens high-transmission channels. In the p–i–n photodetector, the response is strongly anisotropic and stacking-dependent: AB reaches photocurrent density J_ph ≈ 7.2 µA·mm⁻² at 2.6 eV for in-plane light versus ≈ 2.9 µA·mm⁻² at 3.5 eV for out-of-plane, and exceeds BA by 1.5–1.8 times due to density of states advantages and Mo-d orbital selection rules. Bilayer Janus MoSSe therefore provides a reconfigurable platform for high-contrast memory and polarization-sensitive photodetection. Full article

To overcome the physical constraints during the miniaturization of conventional semiconductor devices, spintronics is playing an increasingly prominent role. The Rashba effect, characterized by spin–momentum locking, has emerged as a promising solution to address challenges. Two-dimensional (2D) Janus transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) break spatial inversion symmetry, creating favorable conditions for the Rashba effect. Based on first-principles calculations, 2D Janus materials XMoYZ₂ (X = S/Se/Te; Y = Si/Ge; Z = N/P) were investigated, with strain, external electric field and charge doping employed to modulate the Rashba effect. The strain results reveal that the Rashba constants of XMoYZ₂ increase significantly with compressive strain. Specifically, after applying uniaxial strain, the Rashba constant of TeMoSiP₂ is enhanced to ~2.2 times its initial value. Compressive strain reduces atomic spacing, enhances orbital overlap, and increases spin–orbit coupling (SOC) strength. All the TeMoYZ₂ materials exhibit significant anisotropy under uniaxial strain, which is favorable for spin-oriented transport. SeMoGeP₂ shows an almost linear Rashba constant–electric field correlation, while TeMoGeP₂ and TeMoSiP₂ show non-monotonic variation. The Rashba constant of TeMoSiP₂ can be enhanced to ~2.7 times its intrinsic value under either positive or negative applied electric fields. Charge doping induces negligible changes in the SOC effect. Finally, the optical absorption properties of TeMoGeP₂, TeMoSiN₂, and TeMoSiP₂ were investigated. This study clarifies the mechanism underlying the enhancement of Rashba constants in XMoYZ₂ materials, enriching the research landscape of spintronics. Full article

Two-dimensional magnetic materials with weak spin-orbit coupling would endow them with great potential for applications in low-power spintronic logic devices. In this work, the stability and magnetism of nonmetal (N, O, F, P) doped 1T-ZrS₂ monolayers is systematically studied by using first principles calculations based on density functional theory. Pristine ZrS₂ monolayer is a nonmagnetic semiconductor with an indirect band gap of 1.15 eV. Among the configurations of nonmetal-atom adsorption, substitutional doping, and vacancy defects, fluorine adsorption on the ZrS₂ monolayer is regarded as an optimal doping strategy. At the concentration of 11.11% in F-adsorbed ZrS₂, the spontaneous magnetization of F-adsorbed ZrS₂ monolayer occurs at the ground state with the stable magnetic states; the magnetic moments are about 0.674 μ_B, which mainly originates from the hybridization between the p-orbitals of S atoms and F atoms (0.315 μ_B) and d-orbitals of Zr atoms (0.323 μ_B). Moreover, the F-adsorbed ZrS₂ monolayer under 0–4% strain delivers consistently low spin polarization energy with stable p-d hybridization, offering their promising potential for their practical applications in low-power spintronic devices. Full article

Long-range hopping plays a crucial regulatory role in non-Hermitian topological systems. This paper systematically studies a non-Hermitian Su–Schrieffer–Heeger (SSH) model that incorporates both long-range hopping and spin–orbit coupling (SOC) within the framework of the generalized Brillouin zone (GBZ). We reveal that long-range hopping can not only actively suppress the non-Hermitian skin effect, but can also cooperate with SOC to jointly modulate the stability regions of topological phases. SOC controls topological transitions through real or imaginary coupling properties and enhances the robustness of edge states. By constructing the GBZ and establishing the non-Bloch bulk–boundary correspondence, we demonstrate that the topological zero modes are entirely determined by the non-Bloch winding number. This study clarifies the key role of long-range hopping as a core regulatory parameter and provides a new paradigm for achieving the synergistic control of topological states and localized properties in non-Hermitian systems through designed couplings. Full article

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have attracted worldwide attention due to their rich physical and chemical properties. How to regulate their electronic structures to meet different application requirements is a crucial issue. In this work, based on first-principle calculations, we demonstrate that surface fluorination can be a powerful method for tailoring the electronic and magnetic properties of TMDC monolayers. The fluorinated T-MX₂F₂ (X = S, Se, Te) monolayers cover semiconductors, half-metals, semimetals, and half-semimetals. In particular, monolayer T-CrS₂F₂ is a half-semimetal, and the spin–orbit coupling effect changes it to a quantum anomalous Hall insulator. Monolayer T-HfS₂F₂ is a non-magnetic semimetal, and monolayer T-CoS₂F₂ is a half-metal. These findings not only suggest that fluorination can dramatically alter the electronic properties of two-dimensional TMDCs but also provide a new research platform for developing nanoelectronic devices. Full article

Spin–orbit torque (SOT)-based spintronic devices have emerged as a preferred candidate for next-generation artificial synaptic devices due to their advantages of non-volatility, high speed, and low power consumption. The development of high-performance SOT-based artificial synaptic devices relies on the breakthrough in SOT-driven magnetization switching, wherein the performance regulation and structural design of the magnetic layer are the core critical factors. In this work, the Co/Ho multilayer system is employed as the magnetic layer to investigate its SOT-driven magnetization switching characteristics and application potential in artificial synapses. By regulating the periodic parameters of the Co/Ho multilayer structure, high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) can be stably maintained in devices with relatively thick ferrimagnetic layers. Moreover, we elucidate the role of the antiferromagnetic coupling interface between Co and Ho in the multilayer structure in enhancing SOT efficiency and demonstrate the achievement of a high spin Hall angle of up to 0.22. The high SOT efficiency of the system enables it to drive the 8.4 nm-thick magnetic layer to achieve highly stable magnetization switching. Multistate magnetization switching behavior is observed, which can be used to simulate synaptic weight updates in neuromorphic networks, demonstrating the broad application prospects of this system in the field of artificial neural networks. Full article

In this study, the synergistic effects of Fe doping and oxygen vacancies on the structural, electronic, and optical properties of Bi₄O₅Br₂, as well as their influence on the photocatalytic CO₂ reduction mechanism, were systematically explored through first-principles calculations. The results reveal that Fe-doped, oxygen-defective, and Fe–Vo co-modified Bi₄O₅Br₂ systems exhibit excellent thermodynamic and dynamic stability. Oxygen vacancies introduce defect states near the Fermi level, narrowing the band gap and enhancing charge localization and CO₂ adsorption, while Fe doping induces strong spin polarization and introduces Fe 3d impurity levels that effectively couple with O 2p orbitals, promoting charge transfer and visible-light absorption. The coexistence of Fe dopants and oxygen vacancies produces a significant synergistic effect, forming a continuous energy-level bridge that enhances charge separation and broadens the light absorption range. Gibbs free energy analyses further demonstrate that the Fe–Vo–BOB system exhibits the lowest energy barriers and the most favorable thermodynamics for CO₂-to-CO conversion. This study provides deep insight into the defect–dopant synergy in Bi₄O₅Br₂ and offers valuable theoretical guidance for engineering highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysts in solar energy conversion and environmental remediation. Full article

Interfacial coupling between CoFe₂O₄ (CFO) nanoparticles and oxidatively functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) enables controlled modulation of structural, optical, and spin dynamic properties in CFO–MWCNT nanocomposites. The solvothermal synthesis promotes nucleation of CFO on –COOH/–OH functional groups, ensuring uniform anchoring along the nanotube surface. X-ray diffraction confirms a cubic spinel phase with lattice expansion from 8.385 Å to 8.410 Å and crystallite growth from 18 nm to 25 nm, reflecting strain transfer and partial nanoparticle coalescence at the carbon interface. The observed bandgap narrowing from 2.72 eV to 2.50 eV, confirmed via Tauc plot analysis, is attributed to localized defect states induced by charge delocalization and orbital hybridization at the interface of the CFO–MWCNT boundary. DC magnetometry reveals a reduction in saturation magnetization from 46 emu/g to 35 emu/g due to diamagnetic dilution and interfacial spin canting, while coercivity decreases from 852 Oe to 841 Oe, indicating modified pinning and domain-wall dynamics associated with exchange-coupled interfaces. Ferromagnetic resonance measurements show a resonance field shift from 3495 G to 3500 G and an increase in the Landé g-factor from 1.97 to 2.00, signifying altered spin–orbit coupling and enhanced local magnetic perturbations. The spin–lattice relaxation time increases from 1.41 ns to 1.59 ns, demonstrating suppressed phonon-mediated relaxation and improved spin coherence across the hybrid network. Spin density rises from 3.72 × 10²² to 4.58 × 10²² spins/g, confirming an increase in unpaired electrons generated by orbital asymmetry at the interface. The anisotropy field and effective magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant exhibit pronounced modulation, evidencing strengthened exchange stiffness and altered Co²⁺/Fe³⁺ superexchange pathways. These results establish CFO-MWCNT nanocomposites as tuneable platforms for spintronic logic elements, high-frequency microwave attenuation, and magneto-optical device architectures. Full article

The clinical efficacy of chemotherapy against rapidly proliferating cells stimulates both the development of new agents and the reassessment of established drugs. Spectroscopic methods (UV, FT-IR, and ¹H NMR) were applied to characterize prospidium chloride and related substances. The FT-IR spectrum of prospidium chloride, arising from vibrational transitions within the alkyl fragments of the dispirotripiperazinium cation, is reported with band assignments. Electronic transitions between molecular orbitals are analyzed using quantum–mechanical selection rules (Laporte and spin selection rules). The n→σ* transition (ΔS = 0) corresponds to the absorption maximum at λmax = 282 ± 0.40 nm (ε = 3.89 ± 0.08 L·mol⁻¹·cm⁻¹). A ¹H NMR spectrum (700 MHz) was used to assign chemical shifts δ (ppm), J-coupling constants (Hz), and gauche conformational features of prospidium chloride and its dihydroxy and epoxy impurities. Quantitative ¹H NMR (qNMR) was applied to determine the content of the active pharmaceutical ingredient and related substances. The methods provide complementary structural information for the characterization of prospidium chloride. Full article

The photophysical properties of a BODIPY derivative with the highly twisted molecular structure of anthracene-fused boron–dipyrromethene (AN-BDP) were studied with steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic methods. The fused anthryl and the BDP units in AN-BDP units both adopt distorted geometry (with ca. 10° of torsion), and there is large dihedral angle between the two units (ca. 49.7°). Interestingly, the fluorescence quantum yields are highly dependent on the solvent polarity (59~3%, from toluene to acetonitrile), yet the fluorescence emission wavelength does not change in different solvents. Nanosecond transient absorption spectra indicate that the triplet state is long-lived, with an intrinsic triplet state lifetime of 551 μs. Interestingly the severely twisted structure only shows a moderate intersystem crossing (ISC) yield (10%). Femtosecond transient absorption spectra indicate slow ISC (>1.5 ns), which is in agreement with the fluorescence lifetime (2.3 ns). Time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) spectra show smaller zero-field-splitting D and E tensors as (−71.4 mT, 16.7 mT, respectively) compared to the triplet state of the iodinated native BDP (D = −104.6 mT, E = 22.8 mT), inferring that the triplet-state wave function of the new compound is delocalized over the twisted molecular framework. The theoretical computation indicated a solvent-polarity-dependent energy barrier for the relaxed S₁ state to a conical interaction (CI) of the S₁ and the S₀ state potential curves, which agrees with the weaker fluorescence in polar solvents. Full article

Chiral magnetic orderings in itinerant magnets have recently attracted considerable attention as a source of emergent electromagnetic phenomena such as topological Hall effects and magnetoelectric couplings. In this study, we investigate emergent multipole degrees of freedom arising from chiral magnetic orderings on a two-dimensional triangular lattice. Focusing on a four-sublattice spin configuration characterized by noncoplanar spin textures, we demonstrate that various types of multipoles, such as magnetic dipoles and electric toroidal dipoles, naturally emerge even in the absence of relativistic spin–orbit coupling. By employing a microscopic tight-binding model, we classify the resulting multipole moments and clarify their relationships to the underlying chiral spin texture. We further explore how spin–orbit coupling modifies these multipole characters, leading to additional uniform responses. The results provide a unified framework connecting noncollinear magnetic orderings and emergent multipole phenomena, offering insights into unconventional cross-correlation phenomena in itinerant chiral magnets. Full article

Two-dimensional ferromagnets are promising for compact spintronic devices. However, their centrosymmetric structure inherently suppresses the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI), hindering the stabilization of chiral spin texture. Here, a tunable DMI induced by interface symmetry breaking in Fe₃GeTe₂/MoS₂ vdW heterostructures is reported. We find that the interfacial DMI stabilizes Néel-type skyrmions in Fe₃GeTe₂/MoS₂ heterostructures under zero magnetic field, with nucleation observed at 64 Oe and annihilation at 800 Oe via Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (LTEM). Skyrmion density peaks (~0.57 skyrmions/μm²) at a Fe₃GeTe₂ thickness of ~30 nm and decays beyond ~60 nm, indicating a finite penetration depth of the proximity effect. Such modulated DMI enables a stabilized nucleation of Néel type skyrmions, allowing for precise control over their density, revealed by Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. Thickness-dependent measurements confirm the interfacial origin of this stabilization. Skyrmion density reaches peak in thin Fe₃GeTe₂ layers and decays beyond ~60 nm, defining the finite penetration depth of the proximity effect. Micromagnetic simulations reproduce the field-dependent evolution of skyrmions, showing a strong correlation to interfacial DMI. First-principles calculations attribute this DMI to asymmetric charge redistribution and spin–orbit coupling at the heterointerface. This work establishes interface engineering as a universal strategy for stabilizing skyrmions in centrosymmetric vdW ferromagnets, offering a thickness-tunable platform for next-generation two-dimensional spintronic devices. Full article