Publication
Title
Tuning electronic and magnetic properties of monolayer $\alpha-RuCl_{3}$ by in-plane strain
Author
Abstract
 By employing density functional theory-based methods, the structural, vibrational, electronic, and magnetic properties of monolayer -RuCl3 were investigated. It was demonstrated that ferromagnetic (FM) and zigzag-antiferromagnetic (ZZ-AFM) spin orders in the material have very close total energies with the latter being the ground state. We found that each Ru atom possesses a magnetic moment of 0.9 (B) and the material exhibits strong magnetic anisotropy. While both phases exhibit indirect gaps, the FM phase is a magnetic semiconductor and the ZZ-AFM phase is a non-magnetic semiconductor. The structural stability of the material was confirmed by phonon calculations. Moreover, dynamical analysis revealed that the magnetic order in the material can be monitored via Raman measurements of the crystal structure. In addition, the magnetic ground state of the material changes from ZZ-AFM to FM upon certain applied strains. Valence and conduction band-edges of the material vary considerably under in-plane strains. Owing to the stable lattice structure and unique and controllable magnetic properties, monolayer -RuCl3 is a promising material in nanoscale device applications.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of materials chemistry C : materials for optical and electronic devices
Publication
2018
ISSN
2050-7526
2050-7534
Volume/pages
6 :8 (2018) , p. 2019-2025
ISI
000426483800015
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
 Faculty/Department Research group Publication type Subject Affiliation Publications with a UAntwerp address