Layer-resolved spin texture, Berry curvature and spectral weight in magnetic tunnel junctions with tunable Rashba spin–orbit coupling

In this paper, we present a comprehensive theoretical investigation of layer-resolved electronic properties in five-layer magnetic tunnel junction systems with systematically tunable Rashba spin-orbit coupling (SOC) strengths. Using an extended tight-binding (TB) model combined with non-equilibrium Green’s function methods, we calculate spin texture patterns, spectral function distributions, and Berry curvature landscapes across the interface and adjacent layers with SOC parameters [Formula: see text]/t ranging from 0.1 to 0.3. Our results reveal a systematic decrease in topological protection, evidenced by Chern number reduction from 1.222 to 0.694 in the primary interface layer as SOC strength increases. The persistent radial spin texture maintains characteristic vortex-like structures indicative of robust spin-momentum locking, while Berry curvature hotspots demonstrate alternating positive and negative regions that create dipole moments scaling with SOC strength. Significantly, we identify an optimal SOC regime ([Formula: see text]) that balances enhanced quantum effects with preserved topological robustness. The interface-dominated phenomena exhibit substantial proximity effects extending into adjacent layers, with correlated but attenuated electronic structure modifications. Spectral weight redistributions reveal momentum-dependent energy splitting characteristics of Rashba systems, while the evolution of Berry curvature landscapes provides insights into the geometric phase structure governing anomalous transport phenomena. These findings establish fundamental design principles for engineering multilayer spintronics.