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Title: Spin-orbit–driven ferromagnetism at half moiré filling in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene

Journal Article · · Science

Strong electron correlation and spin-orbit coupling (SOC) can have a profound influence on the electronic properties of materials. We examined their combined influence on a two-dimensional electronic system at the atomic interface between magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene and a tungsten diselenide crystal. We found that strong electron correlation within the moiré flatband stabilizes correlated insulating states at both quarter and half filling, and that SOC transforms these Mott-like insulators into ferromagnets, as evidenced by a robust anomalous Hall effect with hysteretic switching behavior. The coupling between spin and valley degrees of freedom could be demonstrated through control of the magnetic order with an in-plane magnetic field or a perpendicular electric field. Our findings establish an experimental knob to engineer topological properties of moiré bands in twisted bilayer graphene and related systems.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States). Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF); National Science Foundation (NSF); Medical Research Institute Sri Lanka (MRI)
Grant/Contract Number:
89233218CNA000001; DMR-1827453; DMR-2011738
OSTI ID:
1982952
Journal Information:
Science, Vol. 375, Issue 6579; ISSN 0036-8075
Publisher:
AAASCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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