Topological current divider in a Chern insulator junction

Dmitry Ovchinnikov, Jiaqi Cai, Zhong Lin, Zaiyao Fei, Zhaoyu Liu, Yong-Tao Cui, David H. Cobden, Jiun-Haw Chu, Cui-Zu Chang, Di Xiao, Jiaqiang Yan and Xiaodong Xu ()
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Dmitry Ovchinnikov: University of Washington
Jiaqi Cai: University of Washington
Zhong Lin: University of Washington
Zaiyao Fei: University of Washington
Zhaoyu Liu: University of Washington
Yong-Tao Cui: University of California
David H. Cobden: University of Washington
Jiun-Haw Chu: University of Washington
Cui-Zu Chang: The Pennsylvania State University
Di Xiao: University of Washington
Jiaqiang Yan: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Xiaodong Xu: University of Washington

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract A Chern insulator is a two-dimensional material that hosts chiral edge states produced by the combination of topology with time reversal symmetry breaking. Such edge states are perfect one-dimensional conductors, which may exist not only on sample edges, but on any boundary between two materials with distinct topological invariants (or Chern numbers). Engineering of such interfaces is highly desirable due to emerging opportunities of using topological edge states for energy-efficient information transmission. Here, we report a chiral edge-current divider based on Chern insulator junctions formed within the layered topological magnet MnBi2Te4. We find that in a device containing a boundary between regions of different thickness, topological domains with different Chern numbers can coexist. At the domain boundary, a Chern insulator junction forms, where we identify a chiral edge mode along the junction interface. We use this to construct topological circuits in which the chiral edge current can be split, rerouted, or switched off by controlling the Chern numbers of the individual domains. Our results demonstrate MnBi2Te4 as an emerging platform for topological circuits design.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33645-7

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