Effective lifting of the topological protection of quantum spin Hall edge states by edge coupling
Please always quote using this URN: urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300886
- 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 tunnelingThe 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-Pérot 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-Pérot interferometry.…
Author: | R. Stühler, A. Kowalewski, F. Reis, D. Jungblut, F. Dominguez, B. Scharf, G. Li, J. Schäfer, E. M. Hankiewicz, R. Claessen |
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URN: | urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300886 |
Document Type: | Journal article |
Faculties: | Fakultät für Physik und Astronomie / Physikalisches Institut |
Fakultät für Physik und Astronomie / Institut für Theoretische Physik und Astrophysik | |
Language: | English |
Parent Title (English): | Nature Communications |
Year of Completion: | 2022 |
Volume: | 13 |
Article Number: | 3480 |
Source: | Nature Communications (2022) 13:3480. doi:10.1038/s41467-022-30996-z |
DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-30996-z |
Dewey Decimal Classification: | 5 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik / 53 Physik / 530 Physik |
Tag: | topological insulators; two-dimensional materials |
Release Date: | 2023/04/25 |
Open-Access-Publikationsfonds / Förderzeitraum 2022 | |
Licence (German): | CC BY: Creative-Commons-Lizenz: Namensnennung 4.0 International |