Weyl Semimetal in a Topological Insulator Multilayer

A. A. Burkov and Leon Balents
Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 127205 – Published 16 September 2011

Abstract

We propose a simple realization of the three-dimensional (3D) Weyl semimetal phase, utilizing a multilayer structure, composed of identical thin films of a magnetically doped 3D topological insulator, separated by ordinary-insulator spacer layers. We show that the phase diagram of this system contains a Weyl semimetal phase of the simplest possible kind, with only two Dirac nodes of opposite chirality, separated in momentum space, in its band structure. This Weyl semimetal has a finite anomalous Hall conductivity and chiral edge states and occurs as an intermediate phase between an ordinary insulator and a 3D quantum anomalous Hall insulator. We find that the Weyl semimetal has a nonzero dc conductivity at zero temperature, but Drude weight vanishing as T2, and is thus an unusual metallic phase, characterized by a finite anomalous Hall conductivity and topologically protected edge states.

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  • Received 27 May 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.127205

© 2011 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

A. A. Burkov1,2 and Leon Balents2

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
  • 2Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA

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Issue

Vol. 107, Iss. 12 — 16 September 2011

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