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Title: Magnetic quantum phase transition in Cr-doped Bi2(SexTe1-x)3 driven by the Stark effect

Journal Article · · Nature Nanotechnology
 [1];  [1]; ORCiD logo [2];  [3];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [4];  [5];  [5];  [5];  [5]
  1. Tsinghua Univ., Beijing (China). State Key Lab. of Low Dimensional Quantum Physics, Dept. of Physics
  2. Fudan Univ., Shanghai (China). State Key Lab. of Surface Physics, Dept. of Physics; Stanford Univ., CA (United States). Dept. of Physics
  3. Stanford Univ., CA (United States). Dept. of Physics
  4. Stanford Univ., CA (United States). Dept. of Physics; Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter, Beijing (China)
  5. Tsinghua Univ., Beijing (China). State Key Lab. of Low Dimensional Quantum Physics, Dept. of Physics; Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter, Beijing (China)

The interplay between magnetism and topology, as exemplified in the magnetic skyrmion systems, has emerged as a rich playground for finding novel quantum phenomena and applications in future information technology. Magnetic topological insulators (TI) have attracted much recent attention, especially after the experimental realization of quantum anomalous Hall effect. Future applications of magnetic TI hinge on the accurate manipulation of magnetism and topology by external perturbations, preferably with a gate electric field. In this work, we investigate the magneto transport properties of Cr doped Bi2(SexTe1-x)3 TI across the topological quantum critical point (QCP). We find that the external gate voltage has negligible effect on the magnetic order for samples far away from the topological QCP. However, for the sample near the QCP, we observe a ferromagnetic (FM) to paramagnetic (PM) phase transition driven by the gate electric field. Theoretical calculations show that a perpendicular electric field causes a shift of electronic energy levels due to the Stark effect, which induces a topological quantum phase transition and consequently a magnetic phase transition. Finally, the in situ electrical control of the topological and magnetic properties of TI shed important new lights on future topological electronic or spintronic device applications.

Research Organization:
SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-76SF00515
OSTI ID:
1407490
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1418319
Journal Information:
Nature Nanotechnology, Vol. 12, Issue 10; ISSN 1748-3387
Publisher:
Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 14 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (5)

Reversible and nonvolatile manipulation of the electronic transport properties of topological insulators by ferroelectric polarization switching journal October 2018
Strong room-temperature ferromagnetism in VSe2 monolayers on van der Waals substrates journal February 2018
Tuning topology in thin films of topological insulators by strain gradients journal September 2019
Quantized Field-Effect Tunneling between Topological Edge or Interface States journal November 2019
Tuning topology in thin films of topological insulators by strain gradients text January 2019

Figures / Tables (4)


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