Layer-Resolved Rashba Spin-Orbit Coupling of Ferromagnetic Interface from a First-Principles Study

We investigated a Rashba-type spin-orbit coupling in a density functional approach based on a grand-canonical force theorem (GCFT). In the investigation, we introduced an averaged effective Rashba parameter estimated at each layer in several realistic magnetic slabs. This parameter may be used to characterize an intrinsic effective electric field imposed on the atomic layer. In particular, the interface between magnetic and non-magnetic materials enhances the parameters of the magnetic layer, such as interfaces of spintronics applications.