Spin textures induced in n-doped solid electrolytes

A strongly insulating solid-state electrolyte may become conducting upon n -doping. On the basis of ab initio calculations, we demonstrate how the charge-to-spin conversion takes place in Li-doped lithium tantalate. Due to an excess of electrons induced by each Li dopant, the low-conduction 5 d band of the nearest Ta shifts down and crosses the Fermi level. The band structure of the doped material displays its spin polarization, whilst the relatively large spin–orbit coupling stimulates the spin textures. Additionally, we anticipate that spin-orbitronic effects may be generated by the charge current via n -doped solid-state electrolytes.