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Design and realization of topological Dirac fermions on a triangular lattice

Author

Listed:
  • Maximilian Bauernfeind

    (Universität Würzburg
    Universität Würzburg)

  • Jonas Erhardt

    (Universität Würzburg
    Universität Würzburg)

  • Philipp Eck

    (Universität Würzburg
    Universität Würzburg)

  • Pardeep K. Thakur

    (Harwell Science and Innovation Campus)

  • Judith Gabel

    (Harwell Science and Innovation Campus)

  • Tien-Lin Lee

    (Harwell Science and Innovation Campus)

  • Jörg Schäfer

    (Universität Würzburg
    Universität Würzburg)

  • Simon Moser

    (Universität Würzburg
    Universität Würzburg)

  • Domenico Di Sante

    (Universität Würzburg
    University of Bologna
    Flatiron Institute)

  • Ralph Claessen

    (Universität Würzburg
    Universität Würzburg)

  • Giorgio Sangiovanni

    (Universität Würzburg
    Universität Würzburg)

Abstract

Large-gap quantum spin Hall insulators are promising materials for room-temperature applications based on Dirac fermions. Key to engineer the topologically non-trivial band ordering and sizable band gaps is strong spin-orbit interaction. Following Kane and Mele’s original suggestion, one approach is to synthesize monolayers of heavy atoms with honeycomb coordination accommodated on templates with hexagonal symmetry. Yet, in the majority of cases, this recipe leads to triangular lattices, typically hosting metals or trivial insulators. Here, we conceive and realize “indenene”, a triangular monolayer of indium on SiC exhibiting non-trivial valley physics driven by local spin-orbit coupling, which prevails over inversion-symmetry breaking terms. By means of tunneling microscopy of the 2D bulk we identify the quantum spin Hall phase of this triangular lattice and unveil how a hidden honeycomb connectivity emerges from interference patterns in Bloch px ± ipy-derived wave functions.

Suggested Citation

  • Maximilian Bauernfeind & Jonas Erhardt & Philipp Eck & Pardeep K. Thakur & Judith Gabel & Tien-Lin Lee & Jörg Schäfer & Simon Moser & Domenico Di Sante & Ralph Claessen & Giorgio Sangiovanni, 2021. "Design and realization of topological Dirac fermions on a triangular lattice," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-25627-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25627-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Cedric Schmitt & Jonas Erhardt & Philipp Eck & Matthias Schmitt & Kyungchan Lee & Philipp Keßler & Tim Wagner & Merit Spring & Bing Liu & Stefan Enzner & Martin Kamp & Vedran Jovic & Chris Jozwiak & A, 2024. "Achieving environmental stability in an atomically thin quantum spin Hall insulator via graphene intercalation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-7, December.

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