Spin-Split Band Hybridization in Graphene Proximitized with α-RuCl3 Nanosheets

Proximity effects induced in the 2D Dirac material graphene potentially open access to novel and intriguing physical phenomena. Thus far, the coupling between graphene and ferromagnetic insulators has been experimentally established. However, only very little is known about graphene’s interaction with antiferromagnetic insulators. Here, we report a low temperature study of the electronic properties of high quality van der Waals heterostructures composed of a single graphene layer proximitized with α-RuCl3. The latter is known to become anti-ferromagnetically ordered below 10 K. Shubnikov de Haas oscillations in the longitudinal resistance and Hall resistance measurements provide clear evidence for a band realignment that is accompanied by a transfer of electrons originally occupying the graphene’s spin degenerate Dirac cones into -RuCl3 band states with in-plane spin polarization. Left behind are holes in two separate Fermi pockets, only one of which is distorted due to spin selective hybridization with t...