@article{VigliottiCalzonaTraversoZianietal.2023, author = {Vigliotti, Lucia and Calzona, Alessio and Traverso Ziani, Niccol{\`o} and Bergeret, F. Sebastian and Sassetti, Maura and Trauzettel, Bj{\"o}rn}, title = {Effects of the spatial extension of the edge channels on the interference pattern of a helical Josephson junction}, series = {Nanomaterials}, volume = {13}, journal = {Nanomaterials}, number = {3}, issn = {2079-4991}, doi = {10.3390/nano13030569}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-304846}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Josephson junctions (JJs) in the presence of a magnetic field exhibit qualitatively different interference patterns depending on the spatial distribution of the supercurrent through the junction. In JJs based on two-dimensional topological insulators (2DTIs), the electrons/holes forming a Cooper pair (CP) can either propagate along the same edge or be split into the two edges. The former leads to a SQUID-like interference pattern, with the superconducting flux quantum ϕ\(_0\) (where ϕ\(_0\)=h/2e) as a fundamental period. If CPs' splitting is additionally included, the resultant periodicity doubles. Since the edge states are typically considered to be strongly localized, the critical current does not decay as a function of the magnetic field. The present paper goes beyond this approach and inspects a topological JJ in the tunneling regime featuring extended edge states. It is here considered the possibility that the two electrons of a CP propagate and explore the junction independently over length scales comparable to the superconducting coherence length. As a consequence of the spatial extension, a decaying pattern with different possible periods is obtained. In particular, it is shown that, if crossed Andreev reflections (CARs) are dominant and the edge states overlap, the resulting interference pattern features oscillations whose periodicity approaches 2ϕ\(_0\).}, language = {en} } @article{StuehlerKowalewskiReisetal.2022, author = {St{\"u}hler, R. and Kowalewski, A. and Reis, F. and Jungblut, D. and Dominguez, F. and Scharf, B. and Li, G. and Sch{\"a}fer, J. and Hankiewicz, E. M. and Claessen, R.}, title = {Effective lifting of the topological protection of quantum spin Hall edge states by edge coupling}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {13}, journal = {Nature Communications}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-022-30996-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300886}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The scientific interest in two-dimensional topological insulators (2D TIs) is currently shifting from a more fundamental perspective to the exploration and design of novel functionalities. Key concepts for the use of 2D TIs in spintronics are based on the topological protection and spin-momentum locking of their helical edge states. In this study we present experimental evidence that topological protection can be (partially) lifted by pairwise coupling of 2D TI edges in close proximity. Using direct wave function mapping via scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) we compare isolated and coupled topological edges in the 2D TI bismuthene. The latter situation is realized by natural lattice line defects and reveals distinct quasi-particle interference (QPI) patterns, identified as electronic Fabry-P{\´e}rot resonator modes. In contrast, free edges show no sign of any single-particle backscattering. These results pave the way for novel device concepts based on active control of topological protection through inter-edge hybridization for, e.g., electronic Fabry-P{\´e}rot interferometry.}, language = {en} } @article{UenzelmannBentmannFiggemeieretal.2021, author = {{\"U}nzelmann, M. and Bentmann, H. and Figgemeier, T. and Eck, P. and Neu, J. N. and Geldiyev, B. and Diekmann, F. and Rohlf, S. and Buck, J. and Hoesch, M. and Kall{\"a}ne, M. and Rossnagel, K. and Thomale, R. and Siegrist, T. and Sangiovanni, G. and Di Sante, D. and Reinert, F.}, title = {Momentum-space signatures of Berry flux monopoles in the Weyl semimetal TaAs}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {12}, journal = {Nature Communications}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-021-23727-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-260719}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Since the early days of Dirac flux quantization, magnetic monopoles have been sought after as a potential corollary of quantized electric charge. As opposed to magnetic monopoles embedded into the theory of electromagnetism, Weyl semimetals (WSM) exhibit Berry flux monopoles in reciprocal parameter space. As a function of crystal momentum, such monopoles locate at the crossing point of spin-polarized bands forming the Weyl cone. Here, we report momentum-resolved spectroscopic signatures of Berry flux monopoles in TaAs as a paradigmatic WSM. We carried out angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy at bulk-sensitive soft X-ray energies (SX-ARPES) combined with photoelectron spin detection and circular dichroism. The experiments reveal large spin- and orbital-angular-momentum (SAM and OAM) polarizations of the Weyl-fermion states, resulting from the broken crystalline inversion symmetry in TaAs. Supported by first-principles calculations, our measurements image signatures of a topologically non-trivial winding of the OAM at the Weyl nodes and unveil a chirality-dependent SAM of the Weyl bands. Our results provide directly bulk-sensitive spectroscopic support for the non-trivial band topology in the WSM TaAs, promising to have profound implications for the study of quantum-geometric effects in solids. Weyl semimetals exhibit Berry flux monopoles in momentum-space, but direct experimental evidence has remained elusive. Here, the authors reveal topologically non-trivial winding of the orbital-angular-momentum at the Weyl nodes and a chirality-dependent spin-angular-momentum of the Weyl bands, as a direct signature of the Berry flux monopoles in TaAs.}, language = {en} } @article{SessiBiswasBathonetal.2016, author = {Sessi, Paolo and Biswas, Rudro R. and Bathon, Thomas and Storz, Oliver and Wilfert, Stefan and Barla, Alessandro and Kokh, Konstantin A. and Tereshchenko, Oleg E. and Fauth, Kai and Bode, Matthias and Balatsky, Alexander V.}, title = {Dual nature of magnetic dopants and competing trends in topological insulators}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {7}, journal = {Nature Communications}, doi = {10.1038/ncomms12027}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-172704}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Topological insulators interacting with magnetic impurities have been reported to host several unconventional effects. These phenomena are described within the framework of gapping Dirac quasiparticles due to broken time-reversal symmetry. However, the overwhelming majority of studies demonstrate the presence of a finite density of states near the Dirac point even once topological insulators become magnetic. Here, we map the response of topological states to magnetic impurities at the atomic scale. We demonstrate that magnetic order and gapless states can coexist. We show how this is the result of the delicate balance between two opposite trends, that is, gap opening and emergence of a Dirac node impurity band, both induced by the magnetic dopants. Our results evidence a more intricate and rich scenario with respect to the once generally assumed, showing how different electronic and magnetic states may be generated and controlled in this fascinating class of materials.}, language = {en} } @article{DziomShuvaevPimenovetal.2017, author = {Dziom, V. and Shuvaev, A. and Pimenov, A. and Astakhov, G.V. and Ames, C. and Bendias, K. and B{\"o}ttcher, J. and Tkachov, G. and Hankiewicz, E.M. and Br{\"u}ne, C. and Buhmann, H. and Molenkamp, L.W.}, title = {Observation of the universal magnetoelectric effect in a 3D topological insulator}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {8}, journal = {Nature Communications}, number = {15197}, doi = {10.1038/ncomms15197}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-170875}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The electrodynamics of topological insulators (TIs) is described by modified Maxwell's equations, which contain additional terms that couple an electric field to a magnetization and a magnetic field to a polarization of the medium, such that the coupling coefficient is quantized in odd multiples of α/4π per surface. Here we report on the observation of this so-called topological magnetoelectric effect. We use monochromatic terahertz (THz) spectroscopy of TI structures equipped with a semitransparent gate to selectively address surface states. In high external magnetic fields, we observe a universal Faraday rotation angle equal to the fine structure constant α=e\(^{2}\)/2E\(_{0}\)hc (in SI units) when a linearly polarized THz radiation of a certain frequency passes through the two surfaces of a strained HgTe 3D TI. These experiments give insight into axion electrodynamics of TIs and may potentially be used for a metrological definition of the three basic physical constants.}, language = {en} } @article{KernreiterGovernaleZuelickeetal.2016, author = {Kernreiter, T. and Governale, M. and Z{\"u}licke, U. and Hankiewicz, E. M.}, title = {Anomalous Spin Response and Virtual-Carrier-Mediated Magnetism in a Topological Insulator}, series = {Physical Review X}, volume = {6}, journal = {Physical Review X}, number = {021010}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevX.6.021010}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166582}, year = {2016}, abstract = {We present a comprehensive theoretical study of the static spin response in HgTe quantum wells, revealing distinctive behavior for the topologically nontrivial inverted structure. Most strikingly, the q=0 (long-wavelength) spin susceptibility of the undoped topological-insulator system is constant and equal to the value found for the gapless Dirac-like structure, whereas the same quantity shows the typical decrease with increasing band gap in the normal-insulator regime. We discuss ramifications for the ordering of localized magnetic moments present in the quantum well, both in the insulating and electron-doped situations. The spin response of edge states is also considered, and we extract effective Land{\´e} g factors for the bulk and edge electrons. The variety of counterintuitive spin-response properties revealed in our study arises from the system's versatility in accessing situations where the charge-carrier dynamics can be governed by ordinary Schr{\"o}dinger-type physics; it mimics the behavior of chiral Dirac fermions or reflects the material's symmetry-protected topological order.}, language = {en} } @article{FleszarHanke2015, author = {Fleszar, Andrzej and Hanke, Werner}, title = {Two-dimensional metallicity with a large spin-orbit splitting: DFT calculations of the atomic, electronic, and spin structures of the Au/Ge(111)-(√3 x √3)R30° surface}, series = {Advances in Condensed Matter Physics}, volume = {2015}, journal = {Advances in Condensed Matter Physics}, number = {531498}, doi = {10.1155/2015/531498}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-149221}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Density functional theory (DFT) is applied to study the atomic, electronic, and spin structures of the Au monolayer at the Ge(111) surface. It is found that the theoretically determined most stable atomic geometry is described by the conjugated honeycomb-chained-trimer (CHCT) model, in a very good agreement with experimental data. The calculated electronic structure of the system, being in qualitatively good agreement with the photoemission measurements, shows fingerprints of the many-body effects (self-interaction corrections) beyond the LDA or GGA approximations. The most interesting property of this surface system is the large spin splitting of its metallic surface bands and the undulating spin texture along the hexagonal Fermi contours, which highly resembles the spin texture at the Dirac state of the topological insulator Bi\(_{2}\)Te\(_{3}\). These properties make this system particularly interesting from both fundamental and technological points of view.}, language = {en} } @article{MaCalvoWangetal.2015, author = {Ma, Eric Yue and Calvo, M. Reyes and Wang, Jing and Lian, Biao and M{\"u}hlbauer, Mathias and Br{\"u}ne, Christoph and Cui, Yong-Tao and Lai, Keji and Kundhikanjana, Worasom and Yang, Yongliang and Baenninger, Matthias and K{\"o}nig, Markus and Ames, Christopher and Buhmann, Hartmut and Leubner, Philipp and Molenkamp, Laurens W. and Zhang, Shou-Cheng and Goldhaber-Gordon, David and Kelly, Michael A. and Shen, Zhi-Xun}, title = {Unexpected edge conduction in mercury telluride quantum wells under broken time-reversal symmetry}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {6}, journal = {Nature Communications}, number = {7252}, doi = {10.1038/ncomms8252}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-143185}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The realization of quantum spin Hall effect in HgTe quantum wells is considered a milestone in the discovery of topological insulators. Quantum spin Hall states are predicted to allow current flow at the edges of an insulating bulk, as demonstrated in various experiments. A key prediction yet to be experimentally verified is the breakdown of the edge conduction under broken time-reversal symmetry. Here we first establish a systematic framework for the magnetic field dependence of electrostatically gated quantum spin Hall devices. We then study edge conduction of an inverted quantum well device under broken time-reversal symmetry using microwave impedance microscopy, and compare our findings to a noninverted device. At zero magnetic field, only the inverted device shows clear edge conduction in its local conductivity profile, consistent with theory. Surprisingly, the edge conduction persists up to 9 T with little change. This indicates physics beyond simple quantum spin Hall model, including material-specific properties and possibly many-body effects.}, language = {en} } @article{AssaadBercxHohenadler2013, author = {Assaad, F. F. and Bercx, M. and Hohenadler, M.}, title = {Topological Invariant and Quantum Spin Models from Magnetic pi Fluxes in Correlated Topological Insulators}, series = {Physical Review X}, volume = {3}, journal = {Physical Review X}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevX.3.011015}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-129849}, year = {2013}, abstract = {The adiabatic insertion of a \(\pi\) flux into a quantum spin Hall insulator gives rise to localized spin and charge fluxon states. We demonstrate that \(\pi\) fluxes can be used in exact quantum Monte Carlo simulations to identify a correlated \(Z_2\) topological insulator using the example of the Kane-Mele-Hubbard model. In the presence of repulsive interactions, a \(\pi\) flux gives rise to a Kramers doublet of spin-fluxon states with a Curie-law signature in the magnetic susceptibility. Electronic correlations also provide a bosonic mode of magnetic excitons with tunable energy that act as exchange particles and mediate a dynamical interaction of adjustable range and strength between spin fluxons. \(\pi\) fluxes can therefore be used to build models of interacting spins. This idea is applied to a three-spin ring and to one-dimensional spin chains. Because of the freedom to create almost arbitrary spin lattices, correlated topological insulators with \(\pi\) fluxes represent a novel kind of quantum simulator, potentially useful for numerical simulations and experiments.}, language = {en} } @article{OostingaMaierSchueffelgenetal.2013, author = {Oostinga, Jeroen B. and Maier, Luis and Sch{\"u}ffelgen, Peter and Knott, Daniel and Ames, Christopher and Br{\"u}ne, Christoph and Tkachov, Grigory and Buhmann, Hartmut and Molenkamp, Laurens W.}, title = {Josephson Supercurrent through the Topological Surface States of Strained Bulk HgTe}, series = {Physical Review X}, volume = {3}, journal = {Physical Review X}, number = {021007}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevX.3.021007}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-129834}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Strained bulk HgTe is a three-dimensional topological insulator, whose surface electrons have a high mobility (~ 30 000 cm\(^2\)=Vs), while its bulk is effectively free of mobile charge carriers. These properties enable a study of transport through its unconventional surface states without being hindered by a parallel bulk conductance. Here, we show transport experiments on HgTe-based Josephson junctions to investigate the appearance of the predicted Majorana states at the interface between a topological insulator and a superconductor. Interestingly, we observe a dissipationless supercurrent flow through the topological surface states of HgTe. The current-voltage characteristics are hysteretic at temperatures below 1 K, with critical supercurrents of several microamperes. Moreover, we observe a magnetic-field-induced Fraunhofer pattern of the critical supercurrent, indicating a dominant \(2\pi\)-periodic Josephson effect in the unconventional surface states. Our results show that strained bulk HgTe is a promising material system to get a better understanding of the Josephson effect in topological surface states, and to search for the manifestation of zero-energy Majorana states in transport experiments.}, language = {en} } @article{KoenigBaenningerGarciaetal.2013, author = {K{\"o}nig, Markus and Baenninger, Matthias and Garcia, Andrei G. F. and Harjee, Nahid and Pruitt, Beth L. and Ames, C. and Leubner, Philipp and Br{\"u}ne, Christoph and Buhmann, Hartmut and Molenkamp, Laurens W. and Goldhaber-Gordon, David}, title = {Spatially Resolved Study of Backscattering in the Quantum Spin Hall State}, series = {Physical Review X}, volume = {3}, journal = {Physical Review X}, number = {2}, issn = {2160-3308}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevX.3.021003}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-127225}, pages = {21003}, year = {2013}, abstract = {The discovery of the quantum spin Hall (QSH) state, and topological insulators in general, has sparked strong experimental efforts. Transport studies of the quantum spin Hall state have confirmed the presence of edge states, showed ballistic edge transport in micron-sized samples, and demonstrated the spin polarization of the helical edge states. While these experiments have confirmed the broad theoretical model, the properties of the QSH edge states have not yet been investigated on a local scale. Using scanning gate microscopy to perturb the QSH edge states on a submicron scale, we identify well-localized scattering sites which likely limit the expected nondissipative transport in the helical edge channels. In the micron-sized regions between the scattering sites, the edge states appear to propagate unperturbed, as expected for an ideal QSH system, and are found to be robust against weak induced potential fluctuations.}, language = {en} } @article{BrueneThienelStuiberetal.2014, author = {Br{\"u}ne, Christoph and Thienel, Cornelius and Stuiber, Michael and B{\"o}ttcher, Jan and Buhmann, Hartmut and Novik, Elena G. and Liu, Chao-Xing and Hankiewicz, Ewelina M. and Molenkamp, Laurens W.}, title = {Dirac-Screening Stabilized Surface-State Transport in a Topological Insulator}, series = {Physical Review X}, volume = {4}, journal = {Physical Review X}, number = {4}, issn = {2160-3308}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevX.4.041045}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-118091}, pages = {041045}, year = {2014}, abstract = {We report magnetotransport studies on a gated strained HgTe device. This material is a three-dimensional topological insulator and exclusively shows surface-state transport. Remarkably, the Landau-level dispersion and the accuracy of the Hall quantization remain unchanged over a wide density range (3×1011  cm-2