Magnetotransport signatures of three-dimensional topological insulator nanostructures

Kristof Moors, Peter Schüffelgen, Daniel Rosenbach, Tobias Schmitt, Thomas Schäpers, and Thomas L. Schmidt
Phys. Rev. B 97, 245429 – Published 29 June 2018; Erratum Phys. Rev. B 103, 079902 (2021)

Abstract

We study the magnetotransport properties of patterned 3D topological insulator nanostructures with several leads, such as kinks or Y-junctions, near the Dirac point with analytical as well as numerical techniques. The interplay of the nanostructure geometry, the external magnetic field, and the spin-momentum locking of the topological surface states lead to a richer magnetoconductance phenomenology as compared to straight nanowires. Similar to straight wires, a quantized conductance with perfect transmission across the nanostructure can be realized across a kink when the input and output channels are pierced by a half-integer magnetic flux quantum. Unlike for straight wires, there is an additional requirement depending on the orientation of the external magnetic field. A right-angle kink shows a unique π-periodic magnetoconductance signature as a function of the in-plane angle of the magnetic field. For a Y-junction, the transmission can be perfectly steered to either of the two possible output legs by a proper alignment of the external magnetic field. These magnetotransport signatures offer new ways to explore topological surface states and could be relevant for quantum transport experiments on nanostructures which can be realized with existing fabrication methods.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
1 More
  • Received 14 March 2018

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.97.245429

©2018 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Condensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Erratum

Erratum: Magnetotransport signatures of three-dimensional topological insulator nanostructures [Phys. Rev. B 97, 245429 (2018)]

Kristof Moors, Peter Schüffelgen, Daniel Rosenbach, Tobias Schmitt, Thomas Schäpers, and Thomas L. Schmidt
Phys. Rev. B 103, 079902 (2021)

Authors & Affiliations

Kristof Moors1,*, Peter Schüffelgen2, Daniel Rosenbach2, Tobias Schmitt2, Thomas Schäpers2, and Thomas L. Schmidt1

  • 1University of Luxembourg, Physics and Materials Science Research Unit, Avenue de la Faïencerie 162a, L-1511 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
  • 2Peter Grünberg Institut, Forschungszentrum Jülich & JARA Jülich-Aachen Research Alliance, D-52425 Jülich, Germany

  • *kristof.moors@uni.lu

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 97, Iss. 24 — 15 June 2018

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×