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Antiferromagnetic topological insulators

Roger S. K. Mong, Andrew M. Essin, and Joel E. Moore
Phys. Rev. B 81, 245209 – Published 17 June 2010

Abstract

We consider antiferromagnets breaking both time-reversal (Θ) and a primitive-lattice translational symmetry (T1/2) of a crystal but preserving the combination S=ΘT1/2. The S symmetry leads to a Z2 topological classification of insulators, separating the ordinary insulator phase from the “antiferromagnetic topological insulator” phase. This state is similar to the “strong” topological insulator with time-reversal symmetry and shares with it such properties as a quantized magnetoelectric effect. However, for certain surfaces the surface states are intrinsically gapped with a half-quantum Hall effect [σxy=e2/(2h)], which may aid experimental confirmation of θ=π quantized magnetoelectric coupling. Step edges on such a surface support gapless, chiral quantum wires. In closing we discuss GdBiPt as a possible example of this topological class.

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  • Received 13 April 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.81.245209

©2010 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Roger S. K. Mong1, Andrew M. Essin1, and Joel E. Moore1,2

  • 1Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
  • 2Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA

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Issue

Vol. 81, Iss. 24 — 15 June 2010

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