Thin-film topological insulator-ferromagnet heterostructures for terahertz detection

Journal Article · Mon Feb 10 00:00:00 EST 2014 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4865423· OSTI ID:22283150

Li, Xiaodong; Semenov, Yuriy G.

An atomically thin topological insulator is investigated theoretically for long-wavelength photodetection when it interacts with a magnetic material. Through the coupling between top and bottom surfaces as well as the exchange interaction with the proximate ferromagnet, the distribution of optically excited carriers exhibits unique patterns that depend sensitively on the frequency of the incoming light. This effect results in the generation of strong nonzero photocurrent, leading potentially to room-temperature detection of far-infrared/THz radiation with the advantage of low noise and fast response. The ease of frequency tuning by an external electrical bias offers an added versatility in the realistic implementation.

• OSTI ID: 22283150
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 104, Issue 6; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CHARGE CARRIERS
COUPLING
DIELECTRIC MATERIALS
EXCHANGE INTERACTIONS
FERROMAGNETIC MATERIALS
FERROMAGNETISM
SURFACES
TEMPERATURE RANGE 0273-0400 K
THIN FILMS
TOPOLOGY
VISIBLE RADIATION