We present a phenomenological theory for coupled spin-charge dynamics in magnetic van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures. The system studied consists of a layered antiferromagnet inserted into a capacitive vdW heterostructure. It has been recently demonstrated that charge doping in such layered antiferromagnets can modulate the strength, and even the sign, of exchange coupling between the layer magnetizations. This provides a mechanism for electrically generating magnetization dynamics. The central result we predict here is that the magnetization dynamics reciprocally results in inducing charge flows. Such dynamics makes magnetic van der Waals heterostructures interesting candidates for spintronics applications. To this end, we also show that these systems can be used to convert subterahertz-radiation-induced magnetization dynamics into electrical signals.

• Received 2 December 2019
• Accepted 1 September 2020

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.102.094421