Two-dimensional topological insulator state in cadmium arsenide thin films
Two-dimensional topological insulators (2D TIs) are a highly desired quantum phase but few materials have demonstrated clear signatures of a 2D TI state. It has been predicted that 2D TIs can be created from thin films of three-dimensional TIs by reducing the film thickness until the surface states...
Saved in:
Published in | arXiv.org |
---|---|
Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Paper Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Ithaca
Cornell University Library, arXiv.org
16.01.2023
|
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
Cover
Loading…
Summary: | Two-dimensional topological insulators (2D TIs) are a highly desired quantum phase but few materials have demonstrated clear signatures of a 2D TI state. It has been predicted that 2D TIs can be created from thin films of three-dimensional TIs by reducing the film thickness until the surface states hybridize. Here, we employ this technique to report the first observation of a 2D TI state in epitaxial thin films of cadmium arsenide, a prototype Dirac semimetal in bulk form and a 3D TI in thin films. Using magnetotransport measurements with electrostatic gating, we observe a Landau level spectrum and quantum Hall effect that are in excellent agreement with those of an ideal 2D TI. Specifically, we observe a crossing of the zeroth Landau levels at a critical magnetic field. We show that the film thickness can be used to tune the critical magnetic field. Moreover, a larger change in film thickness causes a transition from a 2D TI to a 2D trivial insulator, just as predicted by theory. The high degree of tunability available in epitaxial cadmium arsenide heterostructures can thus be used to fine-tune the 2D TI, which is essential for future topological devices. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 2331-8422 |
DOI: | 10.48550/arxiv.2301.02759 |