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Title: The Dirac equation as a model of topological insulators

Abstract

The Dirac equation with a spatially dependent mass can be used as a simple, exactly soluble, continuum model of a three-dimensional Topological Insulator. For a bulk system, the sign of the mass determines the parity at the only time-reversal point ( k _ =0 ) and, thus, leads to the designation of the bulk as being topologically trivial or non-trivial. Since the mass changes sign at the interface between a topologically trivial and non-trivial materials, topological surface states appear on that boundary. We present that electron scattering experiments may provide an alternate probe of the topological character of the surface states. For infinitely thick slabs, the states on the opposite sides of the slab decouple. The spatial decoupling results in the surface states become gapless, non-degenerate and, due to the Rashba spin–orbit coupling generated by the loss of inversion symmetry, exhibit spin-momentum locking. We review several characteristic properties of the topological surface states which are dependent on the topological quantum numbers and show that, using this model, they can be calculated exactly using simple approaches.

Authors:
 [1];  [2];  [1]
  1. Temple Univ., Philadelphia, PA (United States)
  2. Drexel Univ., Philadelphia, PA (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Temple Univ., Philadelphia, PA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division
OSTI Identifier:
1617902
Grant/Contract Number:  
FG02-01ER45872
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Philosophical Magazine (2003, Print)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Name: Philosophical Magazine (2003, Print); Journal Volume: 100; Journal Issue: 10; Journal ID: ISSN 1478-6435
Publisher:
Taylor & Francis
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS; Topological insulators; Dirac equation; Weyl cone; berry phase; Chern number; experimental manifestations; electron diffraction

Citation Formats

Yuan, Xiao, Bowen, Michael, and Riseborough, Peter. The Dirac equation as a model of topological insulators. United States: N. p., 2020. Web. doi:10.1080/14786435.2020.1726523.
Yuan, Xiao, Bowen, Michael, & Riseborough, Peter. The Dirac equation as a model of topological insulators. United States. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786435.2020.1726523
Yuan, Xiao, Bowen, Michael, and Riseborough, Peter. Fri . "The Dirac equation as a model of topological insulators". United States. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786435.2020.1726523. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1617902.
@article{osti_1617902,
title = {The Dirac equation as a model of topological insulators},
author = {Yuan, Xiao and Bowen, Michael and Riseborough, Peter},
abstractNote = {The Dirac equation with a spatially dependent mass can be used as a simple, exactly soluble, continuum model of a three-dimensional Topological Insulator. For a bulk system, the sign of the mass determines the parity at the only time-reversal point (k_=0) and, thus, leads to the designation of the bulk as being topologically trivial or non-trivial. Since the mass changes sign at the interface between a topologically trivial and non-trivial materials, topological surface states appear on that boundary. We present that electron scattering experiments may provide an alternate probe of the topological character of the surface states. For infinitely thick slabs, the states on the opposite sides of the slab decouple. The spatial decoupling results in the surface states become gapless, non-degenerate and, due to the Rashba spin–orbit coupling generated by the loss of inversion symmetry, exhibit spin-momentum locking. We review several characteristic properties of the topological surface states which are dependent on the topological quantum numbers and show that, using this model, they can be calculated exactly using simple approaches.},
doi = {10.1080/14786435.2020.1726523},
journal = {Philosophical Magazine (2003, Print)},
number = 10,
volume = 100,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Feb 21 00:00:00 EST 2020},
month = {Fri Feb 21 00:00:00 EST 2020}
}

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