Determination of the spin orientation of helical electrons in monolayer WTe2

Monolayer WTe2 is predicted to be a quantum spin Hall insulator (QSHI) and electron transport along its edges has been experimentally observed. However, the smoking gun of QSHI, spin momentum locking of the edge electrons, has not been experimentally demonstrated. We propose a model to establish the relationship between the anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) and spin orientation of the helical electrons in WTe2. Based on the predictions of the model, angular dependent magnetoresistance measurements were carried out. The experimental results fully supported the model and the spin orientation of the helical edge electrons was determined. Our results not only demonstrate that WTe2 is indeed a QSHI, but also suggest a convenient method to determine the spin orientation of other QSHIs.