Persistent spin helix on a wurtzite ZnO(10\bar{1}0) surface: First-principles density-functional study

The persistent spin helix (PSH) that has been widely and exclusively studied in zinc-blende structures is revealed for the first time on the surface of a wurtzite structure. Through first principles calculations of the surface of ZnO(10\bar{1}0), a quasi-one-dimensional orientation of the spin textures is identified. Furthermore, the wavelength of this particular PSH is smaller than that observed in various zinc-blende quantum well structures, thus indicating that wurtzite-structured surfaces are suitable for spintronics applications.