Spontaneous breaking of time-reversal symmetry at the edges of 1T′ monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides

Line Jelver, Daniele Stradi, Kurt Stokbro, Thomas Olsen, Karsten Wedel Jacobsen

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Using density functional theory (DFT) calculations and the Greens's function formalism, we report the existence of magnetic edge states with a noncollinear spin texture present on different edges of the 1T′ phase of the three monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs): MoS2, MoTe2, and WTe2. The magnetic states are gapless and accompanied by a spontaneous breaking of the time-reversal symmetry. This may have an impact on the prospects of utilizing WTe2 as a quantum spin Hall insulator. It has previously been suggested that the topologically protected edge states of the 1T′ TMDs could be switched off by applying a perpendicular electric field [X. Qian, J. Liu, L. Fu, and J. Li, Science 346, 1344 (2014)0036-807510.1126/science.1256815]. We confirm with fully self-consistent DFT calculations that the topological edge states can be switched off. The investigated magnetic edge states are seen to be robust and remain gapless when applying a field.

Original languageEnglish
Article number155420
JournalPhysical Review B
Volume99
Issue number15
ISSN2469-9950
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24. Apr 2019
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 American Physical Society.

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