Topological Quantization in Units of the Fine Structure Constant

Journal Article · Fri Nov 11 00:00:00 EST 2011 · Phys.Rev.Lett.105:166803,2010

OSTI ID:1029144

Maciejko, Joseph; Qi, Xiao-Liang; Drew, H Dennis; Zhang, Shou-Cheng

Fundamental topological phenomena in condensed matter physics are associated with a quantized electromagnetic response in units of fundamental constants. Recently, it has been predicted theoretically that the time-reversal invariant topological insulator in three dimensions exhibits a topological magnetoelectric effect quantized in units of the fine structure constant {alpha} = e{sup 2}/{h_bar}c. In this Letter, we propose an optical experiment to directly measure this topological quantization phenomenon, independent of material details. Our proposal also provides a way to measure the half-quantized Hall conductances on the two surfaces of the topological insulator independently of each other.

• Research Organization: SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76SF00515
• OSTI ID: 1029144
• Report Number(s): SLAC-PUB-14725; PRLTAO; arXiv:1004.2514; TRN: US201123%%34
• Journal Information: Phys.Rev.Lett.105:166803,2010, Vol. 105, Issue 16; ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
DIMENSIONS
FINE STRUCTURE
FUNDAMENTAL CONSTANTS
PHYSICS
QUANTIZATION
General Physics
PHYS
MATSCI