Challenges and opportunities in searching for Rashba-Dresselhaus materials for efficient spin-charge interconversion at room temperature

Spintronic logic devices require efficient spin-charge interconversion: converting charge current to spin current and spin current to charge current. In spin–orbit materials that are regarded as the most promising candidate for spintronic logic devices, one mechanism that is responsible for spin-charge interconversion is Edelstein and inverse Edelstein effects based on spin-momentum locking in materials with Rashba-type spin–orbit coupling. Over last decade, there has been rapid progresses for increasing interconversion efficiencies due to the Edelstein effect in a few Rashba-Dresselhaus materials and topological insulators, making Rashba spin-momentum locking a promising technological solution for spin–orbit logic devices. However, despite the rapid progress that leads to high spin-charge interconversion efficiency at cryogenic temperatures, the room-temperature efficiency needed for technological applications is still low. This paper presents our understanding on the challenges and opportunities in searching for Rashba-Dresselhaus materials for efficient spin-charge interconversion at room temperature by focusing on materials properties such as Rashba coefficients, momentum relaxation times, spin-momentum locking relations and electrical conductivities.