Realization of a one-dimensional topological insulator in ultrathin germanene nanoribbons

Dennis J. Klaassen, Lumen Eek, Alexander N. Rudenko, Esra D. ’t Westende, Carolien Castenmiller, Zhiguo Zhang, Paul L. Boeij, Arie Houselt, Motohiko Ezawa, Harold J. W. Zandvliet, Cristiane Morais Smith () and Pantelis Bampoulis ()
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Dennis J. Klaassen: University of Twente
Lumen Eek: Utrecht University
Alexander N. Rudenko: Radboud University Nijmegen
Esra D. ’t Westende: University of Twente
Carolien Castenmiller: University of Twente
Zhiguo Zhang: University of Twente
Paul L. Boeij: University of Twente
Arie Houselt: University of Twente
Motohiko Ezawa: University of Tokyo
Harold J. W. Zandvliet: University of Twente
Cristiane Morais Smith: Utrecht University
Pantelis Bampoulis: University of Twente

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Realizing a one-dimensional (1D) topological insulator and identifying the lower-dimensional limit of two-dimensional (2D) behavior are crucial steps toward developing high-density quantum state networks, advancing topological quantum computing, and exploring dimensionality effects in topological materials. Although 2D topological insulators have been experimentally realized, their lower dimensional limit and 1D counterparts remain elusive. Here, we fabricated and characterized arrays of zigzag-terminated germanene nanoribbons, a 2D topological insulator with a large topological bulk gap. The electronic properties of these nanoribbons strongly depend on their width, with topological edge states persisting down to a critical width (∼2 nm), defining the limit of 2D topology. Below this threshold, contrary to the tenfold way classification, we observe zero-dimensional (0D) states localized at the ends of the ultrathin nanoribbons. These end states, topologically protected by time-reversal and mirror symmetries, indicate the realization of a 1D topological insulator with strong spin-orbit coupling. Our findings establish germanene nanoribbons as a platform for investigating 1D topology and dimensionality effects in topological materials.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57147-4

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