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At least 19 records

Exchange-Biased Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect

The quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect is characterized by a dissipationless chiral edge state with a quantized Hall resistance at zero magnetic field. Manipulating the QAH state is of great importance in both the understanding of topological quantum physics and the implementation of dissipationless electronics. Here, the QAH effect is realized in the magnetic topological insulator Cr-doped (Bi,Sb) 2 Te 3 (CBST) grown on an uncompensated antiferromagnetic insulator Al-doped Cr 2 O 3 . Through polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR), a strong exchange coupling is found between CBST and Al-Cr 2 O 3 surface spins fixing interfacial magnetic moments perpendicular to the film plane. Further, the interfacial coupling results in an exchange-biased QAH effect. This study further demonstrates that the magnitude and sign of the exchange bias can be effectively controlled using a field training process to set the magnetization of the Al-Cr 2 O 3 layer. It demonstrates the use of the exchange bias effect to effectively manipulate the QAH state, opening new possibilities in QAH-based spintronics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Colloquium : Quantum anomalous Hall effect

The quantum Hall (QH) effect, quantized Hall resistance combined with zero longitudinal resistance, is the characteristic experimental fingerprint of Chern insulators—topologically nontrivial states of two-dimensional matter with broken time-reversal symmetry. In Chern insulators, nontrivial bulk band topology is expressed by chiral states that carry current along sample edges without dissipation. Here, the quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect refers to QH effects that occur in the absence of external magnetic fields due to spontaneously broken time-reversal symmetry. The QAH effect has now been realized in four different classes of two-dimensional materials: (i) thin films of magnetically (Cr- and/or V-) doped topological insulators in the (Bi,Sb) 2 T 3 family, (ii) thin films of the intrinsic magnetic topological insulator MnBi 2 Te 4 , (iii) moiré materials formed from graphene, and (iv) moiré materials formed from transition-metal dichalcogenides. In this Colloquium, the physical mechanisms responsible for each class of QAH insulator are reviewed, with both differences and commonalities highlighted, and potential applications of the QAH effect are commented upon.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Fractional Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect

The realization of the fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect (FQAHE) in a zero-field fractional Chern insulator is a new advancement in condensed matter physics, resulting from the interplay among strong correlations, topology, and spontaneous time-reversal symmetry breaking in lattice systems. In this review, we highlight the experimental and theoretical progress toward achieving FQAHE in two material platforms: twisted bilayer MoTe 2 and rhombohedral-stacked multilayer graphene. These systems host narrow topological bands with nontrivial Chern numbers, enabling interaction-driven fractionalized states analogous to the fractional quantum Hall effect, but without external magnetic fields. We discuss how spontaneous ferromagnetism, moiré lattice reconstruction, and band topological effects underpin the emergence of FQAHE in twisted MoTe 2 . We describe experimental discoveries of zero-field fractional Chern insulators in both transport and optical experiments, as well as signatures of composite Fermi liquids and higher-energy Chern band, which may shed light on engineering nonabelian states. In rhombohedral graphene/hexagonal boron nitride moiré superlattices, we review the recent observations of fractionally quantized Hall resistance, connections between FQAHE and extended quantum anomalous Hall phases, and the coexistence of superconductivity and FQAHE. Furthermore, these discoveries not only deepen our understanding of strongly correlated topological matter but also open new frontiers for exploring nonabelian anyons, fault-tolerant quantum computation, and topological opto-spintronics free of magnetic fields.

bilayer↗

Bulk dissipation in the quantum anomalous Hall effect

Even at the lowest accessible temperatures, measurements of the quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect have indicated the presence of parasitic dissipative conduction channels. There is no consensus whether parasitic conduction is related to processes in the bulk or along the edges. Here, we approach this problem by comparing transport measurements of Hall bar and Corbino geometry devices fabricated from Cr-doped (BiSb) 2 Te 3 . We identify bulk conduction as the dominant source of dissipation at all values of temperature and in-plane electric field. Furthermore, we observe identical breakdown phenomenology in both geometries, indicating that breakdown of the QAH phase is a bulk process. The methodology developed in this study could be used to identify dissipative conduction mechanisms in new QAH materials, ultimately guiding material development towards realization of the QAH effect at higher temperatures

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Recent progress of MnBi 2 Te 4 epitaxial thin films as a platform for realising the quantum anomalous Hall effect

Since the first realisation of the quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) in a dilute magnetic-doped topological insulator thin film in 2013, the quantisation temperature has been limited to less than 1 K due to magnetic disorder in dilute magnetic systems. With magnetic moments ordered into the crystal lattice, the intrinsic magnetic topological insulator MnBi 2 Te 4 has the potential to eliminate or significantly reduce magnetic disorder and improve the quantisation temperature. Surprisingly, to date, the QAHE has yet to be observed in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE)-grown MnBi 2 Te 4 thin films at zero magnetic field, and what leads to the difficulty in quantisation is still an active research area. Although bulk MnBi 2 Te 4 and exfoliated flakes have been well studied, revealing both the QAHE and axion insulator phases, experimental progress on MBE thin films has been slower. Furthermore, understanding how the breakdown of the QAHE occurs in MnBi 2 Te 4 thin films and finding solutions that will enable mass-produced millimetre-size QAHE devices operating at elevated temperatures are required. In this mini-review, we will summarise recent studies on the electronic and magnetic properties of MBE MnBi 2 Te 4 thin films and discuss mechanisms that could explain the failure of the QAHE from the aspects of defects, electronic structure, magnetic order, and consequences of their delicate interplay. Finally, we propose several strategies for realising the QAHE at elevated temperatures in MnBi 2 Te 4 thin films.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Tunable quantum anomalous Hall effects in ferromagnetic van der Waals heterostructures

ABSTRACT The quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) has unique advantages in topotronic applications, but it is still challenging to realize the QAHE with tunable magnetic and topological properties for building functional devices. Through systematic first-principles calculations, we predict that the in-plane magnetization induced QAHE with Chern numbers C = ±1 and the out-of-plane magnetization induced QAHE with high Chern numbers C = ±3 can be realized in a single material candidate, which is composed of van der Waals (vdW) coupled Bi and MnBi2Te4 monolayers. The switching between different phases of QAHE can be controlled in multiple ways, such as applying strain or (weak) magnetic field or twisting the vdW materials. The prediction of an experimentally available material system hosting robust, highly tunable QAHE will stimulate great research interest in the field. Our work opens a new avenue for the realization of tunable QAHE and provides a practical material platform for the development of topological electronics.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Quantum anomalous Hall effect in perfectly compensated collinear antiferromagnetic thin films

Here, we show that the quantum anomalous Hall effect almost always occurs in magnetic topological insulator thin films whenever the top and bottom surface layer magnetizations are parallel at some temperature, independent of the interior layer magnetization configuration. Using this criterion, we identify structures that have a quantum anomalous Hall effect even though they have collinear magnetic structures with no net magnetization, and discuss strategies for realizing these interesting magnetic states experimentally.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Perspective–The Elusive Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect in MnBi 2 Te 4 : Materials

Observation of the quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) in MnBi 2 Te 4 flakes is one of the most exciting results in the study of the intrinsic magnetic topological insulator MnBi 2 Te 4 and related compounds. However, reproducing this fascinating result has been found to be challenging. The quality of starting MnBi 2 Te 4 single crystals is believed to be the key factor. An interesting and important question to address is what is the right quality to enable the QAHE. In this perspective, we present possible approaches to tuning the magnetic and topological properties of MnBi 2 Te 4 by using lattice imperfections, strain, stacking sequence, and interactions between the substrate and flakes/films. It is of critical importance to eventually identify the factor(s) responsible for the realization of QAHE. This paper is part of the JES/JSS Joint Focus Issue In Honor of John Goodenough: A Centenarian Milestone.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Moiré commensurability and the quantum anomalous Hall effect in twisted bilayer graphene on hexagonal boron nitride

The quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect is sometimes observed in twisted bilayer graphene (tBG) when it is nearly aligned with an encapsulating hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) layer. We propose that the appearance or absence of the QAH effect in individual devices could be related to commensurability between the graphene/graphene and graphene/hBN moiré patterns. We identify a series of points in the (θ GG , θ GBN ) twist-angle space at which the two moiré patterns are commensurate, allowing moiré band theory to be applied, and we show that the band Chern numbers are in this case sensitive to a rigid in-plane hBN displacement. Given this property, we argue that the QAH effect is likely only when (i) the (θ GG , θ GBN ) twist-angle-pair is close enough to a commensurate point that the two moiré patterns yield a supermoiré pattern with a sufficiently long length scale, and (ii) the supermoiré has a percolating topologically nontrivial QAH phase. For twist angles far from commensurability, the hBN layer acts as a source of disorder that can destroy the QAH effect. Our proposal can explain a number of current experimental observations. Finally, further experimental studies that can test this proposal more directly are suggested.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Alloying vanadium in Mn Bi 2 Te 4 for robust ferromagnetic coupling and quantum anomalous Hall effect

The intrinsic antiferromagnetic (AFM) interlayer coupling in the two-dimensional magnetic topological insulator MnBi 2 Te 4 places a restriction on realizing a stable quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) [Y. Deng et al., Science 367, 895 (2020)]. Through density functional theory calculations, we demonstrate the possibility of tuning the AFM coupling to the ferromagnetic coupling in Mn Bi 2 Te 4 films by alloying about 50% V with Mn. As a result, the QAHE can be achieved without alternation with the even or odd septuple layers. This provides a practical strategy to get a robust QAHE in ultrathin Mn Bi 2 Te 4 films, rendering them attractive for technological innovations.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

3D Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect in Magnetic Topological Insulator Trilayers of Hundred‐Nanometer Thickness

Magnetic topological states refer to a class of exotic phases in magnetic materials with the non-trivial topological property determined by magnetic spin configurations. An example of such states is the quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) state, which is a zero magnetic field manifestation of the quantum Hall effect. Current research in this direction focuses on QAH insulators with a thickness of less than 10 nm. Here, molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) is employed to synthesize magnetic TI trilayers with a thickness of up to ≈106 nm. It is found that these samples exhibit well-quantized Hall resistance and vanishing longitudinal resistance at zero magnetic field. By varying the magnetic dopants, gate voltages, temperature, and external magnetic fields, the properties of these thick QAH insulators are examined and the robustness of the 3D QAH effect is demonstrated. The realization of the well-quantized 3D QAH effect indicates that the nonchiral side surface states of the thick magnetic TI trilayers are gapped and thus do not affect the QAH quantization. The 3D QAH insulators of hundred-nanometer thickness provide a promising platform for the exploration of fundamental physics, including axion physics and image magnetic monopole, and the advancement of electronic and spintronic devices to circumvent Moore's law.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Recent progress in MnBi2 n Te3 n +1 intrinsic magnetic topological insulators: crystal growth, magnetism and chemical disorder

ABSTRACT The search for magnetic topological materials has been at the forefront of condensed matter research for their potential to host exotic states such as axion insulators, magnetic Weyl semimetals, Chern insulators, etc. To date, the MnBi2nTe3n+1 family is the only group of materials showcasing van der Waals-layered structures, intrinsic magnetism and non-trivial band topology without trivial bands at the Fermi level. The interplay between magnetism and band topology in this family has led to the proposal of various topological phenomena, including the quantum anomalous Hall effect, quantum spin Hall effect and quantum magnetoelectric effect. Among these, the quantum anomalous Hall effect has been experimentally observed at record-high temperatures, highlighting the unprecedented potential of this family of materials in fundamental science and technological innovation. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of the research progress in this intrinsic magnetic topological insulator family, with a focus on single-crystal growth, characterization of chemical disorder, manipulation of magnetism through chemical substitution and external pressure, and important questions that remain to be conclusively answered.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

1/4 is the new 1/2 when topology is intertwined with Mottness

In non-interacting systems, bands from non-trivial topology emerge strictly at half-filling and exhibit either the quantum anomalous Hall or spin Hall effects. Here we show using determinantal quantum Monte Carlo and an exactly solvable strongly interacting model that these topological states now shift to quarter filling. A topological Mott insulator is the underlying cause. The peak in the spin susceptibility is consistent with a possible ferromagnetic state at T = 0. The onset of such magnetism would convert the quantum spin Hall to a quantum anomalous Hall effect. While such a symmetry-broken phase typically is accompanied by a gap, we find that the interaction strength must exceed a critical value for this to occur. Hence, we predict that topology can obtain in a gapless phase but only in the presence of interactions in dispersive bands. These results explain the recent quarter-filled quantum anomalous Hall effects seen in moiré systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Excited quantum anomalous and spin Hall effect: dissociation of flat-bands-enabled excitonic insulator state

Quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) and quantum spin Hall effect (QSHE) are two interesting physical manifestations of 2D materials that have an intrinsic nontrivial band topology. In principle, they are ground-state equilibrium properties characterized by Fermi level lying in a topological gap, below which all the occupied bands are summed to a non-zero topological invariant. In this work, we propose theoretical concepts and models of ‘excited’ QAHE (EQAHE) and EQSHE generated by dissociation of an excitonic insulator (EI) state with complete population inversion (CPI), a unique many-body ground state enabled by two yin-yang flat bands (FBs) of opposite chirality hosted in a diatomic Kagome lattice. The two FBs have a trivial gap in between, i.e. the system is a trivial insulator in the single-particle ground-state, but nontrivial gaps above and below, so that upon photoexcitation the quasi-Fermi levels of both electrons and holes will lie in a nontrivial gap achieved by the CPI-EI state, as demonstrated by exact diagonalization calculations. Then dissociation of singlet and triplet EI state will lead to EQAHE and EQSHE, respectively. Realizations of yin-yang FBs in real materials are also discussed.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗