Topological magnetoelectric response in ferromagnetic axion insulators.

ABSTRACT: The topological magnetoelectric effect (TME) is a hallmark response of the topological field theory, which provides a paradigm shift in the study of emergent topological phenomena. However, its direct observation is yet to be realized due to the demanding magnetic configuration required to gap all surface states. Here, we theoretically propose that axion insulators with a simple ferromagnetic configuration, such as the MnBi₂Te₄/(Bi₂Te₃)_n family, provide an ideal playground to realize the TME. In the designed triangular prism geometry, all the surface states are magnetically gapped. Under a vertical electric field, the surface Hall currents give rise to a nearly half-quantized orbital moment, accompanied by a gapless chiral hinge mode c

SUBMITTER: Wan Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10804227 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature