In-plane momentum-dependent spin texture originating from surface symmetry breaking in the two-dimensional van der Waals ferromagnet CrGeTe3

Investigating electronic structures of two-dimensional van der Waals magnets is of great significance for the application in low-power nanodevices. The two-dimensional van der Waals ferromagnet CrGeTe3 has attracted much attention with chemically stable properties and relatively high Curie temperature. Here, we investigate the in-plane spin texture of CrGeTe3 in the ferromagnetic state by first-principles calculations, which reveal a helical-type spin texture that is attributed to surface symmetry breaking instead of spin-layer locking effect. Such spin texture is also supported by our spin-resolved photoemission spectroscopy experimental data. Our results provide a platform for exploring next-generation spintronic devices.