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.

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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

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article

Neel-vector-orientation induced direction-robust spin filtering in two-dimensional altermagnets

Xu Cheng, Biplab Sanyal, Xin Chen, Duo Wang et al.
Physical review. B./Physical review. B
Topological Materials and Phenomena
article

Neel-vector-orientation induced direction-robust spin filtering in two-dimensional altermagnets

Xu Cheng, Biplab Sanyal, Xin Chen, Duo Wang, Zou Jin
article en

Abstract

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.

Physical review. B./Physical review. B
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
Openalex Percentile: Top 98%
Topological Materials and Phenomena
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