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Topological quantum materials

  • Emergent Quantum Materials
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Abstract

Topological quantum materials are a class of compounds featuring electronic band structures, which are topologically distinct from common metals and insulators. These materials have emerged as exceptionally fertile ground for materials science research. The topologically nontrivial electronic structures of these materials support many interesting properties, ranging from the topologically protected states, manifesting as high mobility and spin-momentum locking, to various quantum Hall effects, axionic physics, and Majorana modes. In this article, we describe different topological matters, including topological insulators, Weyl semimetals, twisted graphene, and related two-dimensional Chern magnetic insulators, as well as their heterostructures. We focus on recent materials discoveries and experimental advancements of topological materials, and their heterostructures. Finally, we conclude with prospects for the discovery of additional topological materials for studying quantum processes, quasiparticles and their composites, as well as exploiting potential applications of these materials.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Physics, and Astronomy, and Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA

    Kang L. Wang

  2. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA

    Yingying Wu

  3. US Army Research Laboratory, University of California, Los Angeles, USA

    Christopher Eckberg

  4. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA

    Gen Yin

  5. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA

    Quanjun Pan

Authors
  1. Kang L. Wang
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  2. Yingying Wu
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  3. Christopher Eckberg
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  4. Gen Yin
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  5. Quanjun Pan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kang L. Wang.

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Wang, K.L., Wu, Y., Eckberg, C. et al. Topological quantum materials. MRS Bulletin 45, 373–379 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1557/mrs.2020.122

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/mrs.2020.122

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