biostudies-literatureUnknown16(1)Victor RTSemiconductor transition metal dichalcogenides are an archetype for spintronic devices due to their spin-to-charge interconversion mechanisms. However, the exact microscopic origin of this interconversion is not yet determined. In our study, we investigated light-induced spin pumping in YIG/MoS₂ heterostructures. Our findings revealed that the MoS₂ monolayer microsized flakes contribute to spin current injection through two distinct mechanisms: metallic edge states and semiconductor area states. The competition between these mechanisms, influenced by the flake size, leads to different behaviors of spin-pumping. Our calculations of the local density of states, by means of density functional theory, of a flake show that light-driven spin current injection can be controlled based on the intensity of light with a suitable wavelength. We demonstrate that a lightdriven spin current injection can enhance up to very high values, attenuate, or even switch on/off the spin-to-charge interconversion. These results hold promise for developing low energy-consuming opto-spintronic device applications.Nature communications3075https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11955567biostudies-literatureDisentangling edge and bulk spin-to-charge interconversion in MoS<sub>2</sub> monolayer flakes.PMC11955567Safeer SHFelix JFMarroquin JFRGarcia FCosta MSampaio LCCarozo VVictor RTfalseDisentangling edge and bulk spin-to-charge interconversion in MoS<sub>2</sub> monolayer flakes.Semiconductor transition metal dichalcogenides are an archetype for spintronic devices due to their spin-to-charge interconversion mechanisms. However, the exact microscopic origin of this interconversion is not yet determined. In our study, we investigated light-induced spin pumping in YIG/MoS₂ heterostructures. Our findings revealed that the MoS₂ monolayer microsized flakes contribute to spin current injection through two distinct mechanisms: metallic edge states and semiconductor area states. The competition between these mechanisms, influenced by the flake size, leads to different behaviors of spin-pumping. Our calculations of the local density of states, by means of density functional theory, of a flake show that light-driven spin current injection can be controlled based on the intensity of light with a suitable wavelength. We demonstrate that a lightdriven spin current injection can enhance up to very high values, attenuate, or even switch on/off the spin-to-charge interconversion. These results hold promise for developing low energy-consuming opto-spintronic device applications.2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Mar2025-06-28T03:05:38.032Z2025-06-28T03:05:38.032ZS-EPMC119555674015949910.1038/s41467-025-58119-4