Spin-active devices based on graphene / WSe$_2$ heterostructure

Abstract: We consider graphene on monolayer WSe$_2$ and the spin-orbit coupling induced by the transition-metal dichalcogenide substrate for application to spin-active devices. We study quantum dots and graphene quantum rings as tunable spin filters and inverters. We use an atomistic tight-binding model as well as the Dirac equation to determine stationary states confined in quantum dots and rings. Next we solve the spin-transport problem for dots and rings connected to nanoribbon leads. The systems connected to zigzag nanoribbons at low magnetic fields act as spin filters and provide strongly spin polarized current.