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Observation of the universal magnetoelectric effect in a 3D topological insulator

Author

Listed:
  • V. Dziom

    (Institute of Solid State Physics, Viennta University of Technology)

  • A. Shuvaev

    (Institute of Solid State Physics, Viennta University of Technology)

  • A. Pimenov

    (Institute of Solid State Physics, Viennta University of Technology)

  • G. V. Astakhov

    (Physikalisches Institut (EP6), Universität Würzburg)

  • C. Ames

    (Physikalisches Institut (EP3), Universität Würzburg)

  • K. Bendias

    (Physikalisches Institut (EP3), Universität Würzburg)

  • J. Böttcher

    (Institut für Theoretische Physik und Astronomie, Universität Würzburg)

  • G. Tkachov

    (Institut für Theoretische Physik und Astronomie, Universität Würzburg)

  • E. M. Hankiewicz

    (Institut für Theoretische Physik und Astronomie, Universität Würzburg)

  • C. Brüne

    (Physikalisches Institut (EP3), Universität Würzburg)

  • H. Buhmann

    (Physikalisches Institut (EP3), Universität Würzburg)

  • L. W. Molenkamp

    (Physikalisches Institut (EP3), Universität Würzburg)

Abstract

The electrodynamics of topological insulators (TIs) is described by modified Maxwell’s equations, which contain additional terms that couple an electric field to a magnetization and a magnetic field to a polarization of the medium, such that the coupling coefficient is quantized in odd multiples of α/4π per surface. Here we report on the observation of this so-called topological magnetoelectric effect. We use monochromatic terahertz (THz) spectroscopy of TI structures equipped with a semitransparent gate to selectively address surface states. In high external magnetic fields, we observe a universal Faraday rotation angle equal to the fine structure constant α=e2/2 hc (in SI units) when a linearly polarized THz radiation of a certain frequency passes through the two surfaces of a strained HgTe 3D TI. These experiments give insight into axion electrodynamics of TIs and may potentially be used for a metrological definition of the three basic physical constants.

Suggested Citation

  • V. Dziom & A. Shuvaev & A. Pimenov & G. V. Astakhov & C. Ames & K. Bendias & J. Böttcher & G. Tkachov & E. M. Hankiewicz & C. Brüne & H. Buhmann & L. W. Molenkamp, 2017. "Observation of the universal magnetoelectric effect in a 3D topological insulator," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-8, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms15197
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15197
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    Cited by:

    1. Shadi Safaei Jazi & Ihar Faniayeu & Rafael Cichelero & Dimitrios C. Tzarouchis & Mohammad Mahdi Asgari & Alexandre Dmitriev & Shanhui Fan & Viktar Asadchy, 2024. "Optical Tellegen metamaterial with spontaneous magnetization," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.

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