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Direct observation of chiral edge current at zero magnetic field in a magnetic topological insulator

Author

Listed:
  • Jinjiang Zhu

    (Fudan University)

  • Yang Feng

    (Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences)

  • Xiaodong Zhou

    (Fudan University
    Fudan University
    Shanghai Qi Zhi Institute)

  • Yongchao Wang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Hongxu Yao

    (Fudan University)

  • Zichen Lian

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Weiyan Lin

    (Fudan University
    Fudan University)

  • Qiushi He

    (Fudan University)

  • Yishi Lin

    (Fudan University)

  • Youfang Wang

    (Fudan University)

  • Yongqian Wang

    (Renmin University of China
    Renmin University of China)

  • Shuai Yang

    (Renmin University of China
    Renmin University of China)

  • Hao Li

    (Tsinghua University
    Tsinghua University)

  • Yang Wu

    (Tsinghua University
    Beijing University of Chemical Technology)

  • Chang Liu

    (Renmin University of China
    Renmin University of China)

  • Jing Wang

    (Fudan University)

  • Jian Shen

    (Fudan University
    Fudan University
    Fudan University
    Shanghai Qi Zhi Institute)

  • Jinsong Zhang

    (Tsinghua University
    Frontier Science Center for Quantum Information
    Hefei National Laboratory)

  • Yayu Wang

    (Tsinghua University
    Frontier Science Center for Quantum Information
    Hefei National Laboratory)

  • Yihua Wang

    (Fudan University
    Shanghai Research Center for Quantum Sciences)

Abstract

The chiral edge current is the boundary manifestation of the Chern number of a quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) insulator. The van der Waals antiferromagnet MnBi2Te4 is theorized to be a QAH in odd-layers but has shown Hall resistivity below the quantization value at zero magnetic field. Here, we perform scanning superconducting quantum interference device (sSQUID) microscopy on these seemingly failed QAH insulators to image their current distribution. When gated to the charge neutral point, our device exhibits edge current, which flows unidirectionally on the odd-layer boundary both with vacuum and with the even-layers. The edge current chirality reverses with the magnetization of the bulk. Surprisingly, we find the edge channels coexist with finite bulk conduction even though the bulk chemical potential is in the band gap, suggesting their robustness under significant edge–bulk scattering. Our result establishes the existence of chiral edge currents in a topological antiferromagnet and offers an alternative for identifying QAH states.

Suggested Citation

  • Jinjiang Zhu & Yang Feng & Xiaodong Zhou & Yongchao Wang & Hongxu Yao & Zichen Lian & Weiyan Lin & Qiushi He & Yishi Lin & Youfang Wang & Yongqian Wang & Shuai Yang & Hao Li & Yang Wu & Chang Liu & Ji, 2025. "Direct observation of chiral edge current at zero magnetic field in a magnetic topological insulator," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56326-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56326-7
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