Topological Floquet spectrum in three dimensions via a two-photon resonance

Netanel H. Lindner, Doron L. Bergman, Gil Refael, and Victor Galitski
Phys. Rev. B 87, 235131 – Published 24 June 2013

Abstract

Three dimensional (3D) topological insulators display an array of unique properties such as single Dirac-cone surface states and a strong magnetoelectric effect. Here we show how a 3D topological spectrum can be induced in a trivial insulator by a periodic drive and, in particular, using electromagnetic radiation. In contrast to the two-dimensional analog, we show that a two-photon resonance is required to transform an initially unremarkable band structure into a topological Floquet spectrum. We provide an intuitive, geometrical picture, alongside a numerical solution of a driven lattice model featuring a single surface Dirac mode. Also, we show that the polarization and frequency of the driving electromagnetic field control the details of the surface modes and particularly the Dirac mass. Specific experimental realizations of the 3D Floquet topological insulator are proposed.

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  • Received 21 February 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.87.235131

©2013 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Netanel H. Lindner1,2, Doron L. Bergman2, Gil Refael2, and Victor Galitski3,4,5

  • 1Institute for Quantum Information and Matter, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
  • 2Department of Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
  • 3Center for Nanophysics and Advanced Materials, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-4111, USA
  • 4Joint Quantum Institute, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
  • 5Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-4030, USA

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Issue

Vol. 87, Iss. 23 — 15 June 2013

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