Spin transport in proximity-induced ferromagnetic phosphorene nanoribbons

We investigate the spin-dependent transport properties in normal/ferromagnetic/normal phosphorene nanoribbon (PNR) junctions where an external gate electrode is attached to the ferromagnetic region. The exchange splitting in ferromagnetic phosphorene is induced by ferromagnetic proximity effect. We found that the current through this junction is spin polarized due to the exchange field induced in phosphorene. The spin polarization oscillates with the external gate voltage, and the spin polarization can be reversed from 100% to −100% by a slight change of the gate voltage. The controllable spin transport in phosphorene nanoribbons can have useful applications in the development of spintronic devices. •We investigate the spin polarized transport in phosphorene nanoribbon with a ferromagnetic stripe.•Fully spin polarized current can be obtained in both zigzag and armchair phosphorene nanoribbons.•The spin polarization oscillates periodically from positive to negative by a slight change of the gate voltage.•The switching of spin direction by a gate potential has useful applications in the development of spintronic devices.