Neel-vector-orientation induced direction-robust spin filtering in two-dimensional altermagnets
Whether an antiferromagnet can host direction-robust spin-polarized transport without a conventional spin-selective band gap remains a central challenge in antiferromagnetic spintronics. Here we establish a gapless, direction-robust spin-filtering mechanism in a compensated two-dimensional altermagnetic Weyl semimetal that requires neither a spin-selective band gap nor a large velocity contrast between spin projections. Using Janus monolayer Ta$_2$TeSeO as a realistic platform, we combine symmetry analysis with first-principles calculations, full-Brillouin-zone Wannier interpolation, and semiclassical transport. Rotating the Néel vector removes a unitary-mirror constraint and shifts one Weyl-cone pair away from its parent high-symmetry line. For an in-plane Néel vector, the residual $C_{2z}\mathcal T$ symmetry forbids the independent $σ_y$ mass that would open a local gap, allowing the reconstructed cones to shift in momentum while remaining gapless. Breaking unitary $C_{2z}$ simultaneously lifts the energy equivalence of the remaining mirror-pinned Weyl cones. The resulting coexistence of a metallic spin-projected manifold and a low-DOS Weyl-derived manifold produces a predominantly DOS-driven conductance imbalance. At charge neutrality and 20~K, the longitudinal conductivity polarization for $\mathbf n\parallel x$ remains positive for every in-plane current direction and ranges from $76.4\%$ to $82.0\%$. The degenerate in-plane magnetic anisotropy facilitates reversible switching between symmetry-related spin-filtering states using strain or weak anisotropic fields. This Néel-vector-driven symmetry mechanism provides a general route to direction-robust gapless spin filtering in compensated altermagnets.
Authors
- Xu Cheng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5336-7952)
- Biplab Sanyal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3687-4223)
- Xin Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4120-1138)
- Duo Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7070-034X)
- Zou Jin
Publication Details
- Journal
- Physical review. B./Physical review. B
- Published
- 2026-10-13
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1103/nyd5-ddcb
- Primary Topic
- Topological Materials and Phenomena
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India
- Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education
- Vetenskapsrådet
- China Scholarship Council
- Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province
- Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration
- National Supercomputing Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information