Spin-orbit phenomena in proximitized graphene

When graphene is in proximity to a transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC), it acquires an enhanced spin-orbit interaction (SOI). Here, I will discuss the relevant consequences of this unique type of SOI for spin manipulation in graphene-TMDC heterostructures. Firstly, I will present our recent experiments which demonstrate how the spin dynamics in graphene is strongly modified by the proximity to a TMDC. The results show that the spin lifetime depends on the spin orientation, and it is larger for spins pointing out of the graphene’s plane compared with the spins pointing in-plane. I will further present an unprecedented electric-field tunability of such anisotropic features in graphene-WS2 heterostructures. Finally, I will demonstrate that the enhanced SOI leads to spin-charge interconversion in graphene. By using spin precession measurements, we can separate the contributions of the spin Hall and the spin galvanic effects.