DocumentCode :
3146285
Title :
Topological insulators: Theory & concepts
Author :
Samarth, N.
Author_Institution :
Phys., Penn State Univ., University Park, PA, USA
fYear :
2015
fDate :
11-15 May 2015
Firstpage :
1
Lastpage :
1
Abstract :
The spin-orbit interaction in condensed matter is a key ingredient of contemporary approaches to spintronics. These approaches have primarily focused on the “interior” bulk electronic states of semiconductors and metals with parabolic energy-momentum dispersion. Early theoretical work however showed that in narrow band gap semiconductor heterostructures (derived from (Pb, Sn)Te and (Hg, Cd)Te), the spin-orbit interaction can lead to helical two dimensional (2D) interface states with a massless (linear) Dirac dispersion. Over the past 5 years or so, we have witnessed a rebirth of these concepts in the more contemporary context of “topological insulators,” driven by the recognition of deep and fundamental connections between surface or edge states and topological invariants. In their 2D realization, topological insulators exhibit spin-polarized one-dimensional (1D) edge states, while the three-dimensional (3D) versions are characterized by 2D surface states with a spin-textured Dirac cone dispersion. The inherent spin-texture of these electronic states provides a natural route toward “topological spintronics” by generating an efficient spin-transfer torque.
Keywords :
interface states; spin polarised transport; spin-orbit interactions; surface states; topological insulators; 2D surface states; 3D topological insulators; condensed matter; electronic states; helical two-dimensional interface states; interior bulk electronic states; massless linear Dirac dispersion; narrow band gap semiconductor heterostructures; parabolic energy-momentum dispersion; spin-orbit interaction; spin-polarized one-dimensional edge states; spin-textured Dirac cone dispersion; spin-transfer torque; surface states; topological invariants; topological spintronics; Dispersion; Magnetoelectronics; Three-dimensional displays; Topological insulators; Torque; Tutorials;
fLanguage :
English
Publisher :
ieee
Conference_Titel :
Magnetics Conference (INTERMAG), 2015 IEEE
Conference_Location :
Beijing
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4799-7321-7
Type :
conf
DOI :
10.1109/INTMAG.2015.7157806
Filename :
7157806
Link To Document :
بازگشت