Topological Magnetic Insulators with Corundum Structure

Jing Wang, Rundong Li, Shou-Cheng Zhang, and Xiao-Liang Qi
Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 126403 – Published 24 March 2011

Abstract

Topological insulators are new states of quantum matter in which surface states residing in the bulk insulating gap are protected by time-reversal symmetry. When a proper kind of antiferromagnetic long-range order is established in a topological insulator, the system supports axionic excitations. In this Letter, we study theoretically the electronic states in a transition metal oxide of corundum structure, in which both spin-orbit interaction and electron-electron interaction play crucial roles. A tight-binding model analysis predicts that materials with this structure can be strong topological insulators. Because of the electron correlation, an antiferromagnetic order may develop, giving rise to a topological magnetic insulator phase with axionic excitations.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 3 August 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.126403

© 2011 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Jing Wang1,2, Rundong Li2, Shou-Cheng Zhang2, and Xiao-Liang Qi3,2

  • 1Department of Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
  • 2Department of Physics, McCullough Building, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-4045, USA
  • 3Microsoft Research, Station Q, Elings Hall, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 106, Iss. 12 — 25 March 2011

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article Available via CHORUS

Download Accepted Manuscript
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×