Journal article
Topological Insulators in Magnetic Fields: Quantum Hall Effect and Edge Channels with a Nonquantized theta Term
Physical Review Letters, Vol.108(12)
Mar/2012
Abstract
We investigate how a magnetic field induces one-dimensional edge channels when the two-dimensional surface states of three-dimensional topological insulators become gapped. The Hall effect, measured by contacting those channels, remains quantized even in situations where the theta term in the bulk and the associated surface Hall conductivities, sigma(S)(xy), are not quantized due to the breaking of time-reversal symmetry. The quantization arises as the theta term changes by +/- 2 pi n along a loop around n edge channels. Model calculations show how an interplay of orbital and Zeeman effects leads to quantum Hall transitions, where channels get redistributed along the edges of the crystal. The network of edges opens new possibilities to investigate the coupling of edge channels.
Details
- Title
- Topological Insulators in Magnetic Fields; Quantum Hall Effect and Edge Channels with a Nonquantized theta Term
- Creators
- M. Sitte (null)A. Rosch (null)Ehud Altman (null) - 972WIS_INST___90L. Fritz (null)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Physical Review Letters, Vol.108(12); Mar/2012
- Number of pages
- 5
- Language
- English
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.126807
- Grant note
- DFG [FOR 960, FR 2627/3-1, SFB 608]; Bonn-Cologne Graduate School; ISFWe acknowledge discussions with A. M. Essin, E. M. Hankiewicz, M. Garst, M. A. Levin, N. Nagaosa, and M. Vojta. Our support came from DFG's FOR 960, FR 2627/3-1 (L. F.), SFB 608, Bonn-Cologne Graduate School (M. S.), and the ISF (E. A.)._ALMAME_DELIMITER_
- Record Identifier
- 993262423703596
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