Inducing Quantum Phase Transitions in Non-Topological Insulators Via Atomic Control of Sub-Structural Elements

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Main Authors: Reid, Thomas K., Alpay, S. Pamir, Balatsky, Alexander V., Nayak, Sanjeev K.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2023
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author Reid, Thomas K.
Alpay, S. Pamir
Balatsky, Alexander V.
Nayak, Sanjeev K.
author_facet Reid, Thomas K.
Alpay, S. Pamir
Balatsky, Alexander V.
Nayak, Sanjeev K.
contents Topological insulators (TIs) are an important family of quantum materials that exhibit a Dirac point (DP) in the surface band structure but have a finite band gap in bulk. A large degree of spin-orbit interaction and low bandgap is a prerequisite for stabilizing DPs on selective atomically flat cleavage planes. Tuning of the DP in these materials has been suggested via modifications to the atomic structure of the entire system. Using the example of As$_2$Te$_3$ and ZnTe$_5$, which are not TIs, we show that a quantum phase transition can be induced in atomically flat and stepped surfaces, for As$_2$Te$_3$ and ZrTe$_5$, respectively. This is achieved by establishing a framework for controlling electronic properties that is focused on local perturbations at key locations that we call sub-structural elements (SSEs). We exemplify this framework through a novel method of isovalent sublayer anion doping and biaxial strain.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2304_05549
institution arXiv
publishDate 2023
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Inducing Quantum Phase Transitions in Non-Topological Insulators Via Atomic Control of Sub-Structural Elements
Reid, Thomas K.
Alpay, S. Pamir
Balatsky, Alexander V.
Nayak, Sanjeev K.
Materials Science
Topological insulators (TIs) are an important family of quantum materials that exhibit a Dirac point (DP) in the surface band structure but have a finite band gap in bulk. A large degree of spin-orbit interaction and low bandgap is a prerequisite for stabilizing DPs on selective atomically flat cleavage planes. Tuning of the DP in these materials has been suggested via modifications to the atomic structure of the entire system. Using the example of As$_2$Te$_3$ and ZnTe$_5$, which are not TIs, we show that a quantum phase transition can be induced in atomically flat and stepped surfaces, for As$_2$Te$_3$ and ZrTe$_5$, respectively. This is achieved by establishing a framework for controlling electronic properties that is focused on local perturbations at key locations that we call sub-structural elements (SSEs). We exemplify this framework through a novel method of isovalent sublayer anion doping and biaxial strain.
title Inducing Quantum Phase Transitions in Non-Topological Insulators Via Atomic Control of Sub-Structural Elements
topic Materials Science
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2304.05549