Topological Insulators

Müchler L, Yan B, Casper F, Chadov S, Felser C (2013)

Publication Type: Book chapter / Article in edited volumes

Publication year: 2013

Journal

Springer Series in Materials Science Springer Verlag

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH

Series: Springer Series in Materials Science

Book Volume: 182

Pages Range: 123-139

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-37537-8_6

Abstract

The recent discovery of a new class of materials, the so-called topological insulators [1–5]. has generated a great interest in the fields of condensed matter physics and materials science [1]. In principle, according to their band structure, compounds can be divided into metals and insulators. Recently a new class of the so-called topological states has emerged, the Quantum Spin Hall (QSH) state in two and three dimensions. The respective materials are called "topological insulators". The 3D topological insulators have a full insulating gap in the bulk, but a topological protected gapless surface or edge states on the boundary [6–8]. Additionally the 2D topological insulators (e.g. HgTe [9, 10], are metallic in the bulk, but can be designed as topological insulators in quantum well structures with a trivial semiconductors such as CdTe. A topological insulator can easily be identified by a few simple rules: the presents of a large spin orbit coupling, an odd number of band inversions between the conduction and the valence band by increasing the average nuclear charge, and a sign change of the symmetry of the molecular orbitals [11]. Similiar features are favorable for thermoelectric properties, thus topological insulators may be good thermoelectric materials and vice versa. Here we present a short introduction to topological insulators and give examples of compound classes where both topological insulators and good thermoelectric properties can be found.

Involved external institutions

Max-Planck-Institut für Chemische Physik fester Stoffe (MPI CPfS) / Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids DE Germany (DE) Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (JGU) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Müchler, L., Yan, B., Casper, F., Chadov, S., & Felser, C. (2013). Topological Insulators. In (pp. 123-139). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH.

MLA:

Müchler, Lukas, et al. "Topological Insulators." Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2013. 123-139.

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