Tuning the Electronic, Optical, and Magnetic Properties of Monolayer GaSe with a Vertical Electric Field

Fully electrical control of devices is keenly pursued for applications in optoelectronics and spintronics. Inspired by the continual discovery of interesting features in two-dimensional semiconductors, the authors investigate the electronic structure and properties of monolayer GaSe in a transverse electric field. Density functional theory predicts a giant Stark effect, switchable optical anisotropy, and controllable spin-orbit coupling and spin polarization in this group-IIIA monochalcogenide. This study provides welcome guidelines for exploiting GaSe in various realms of device physics.