“Nanofilms as effectively multiband superconductors: Intraband-pairing approximation and Ginzburg-Landau theory”. Shanenko AA, Vagov A, Peeters FM, Aguiar JA, Physica: B : condensed matter 455, 3 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.physb.2014.06.032
Abstract: It is well-known that the Ginzburg-Landau (GL) theory is a reliable and powerful theoretical tool to investigate the magnetic response of a superconducting state. However, in its standard form, this approach is not applicable to atomically uniform nano-thin superconducting films which are effective multiband superconductors. Here we discuss a relevant generalization of the GL theory, focusing on the underlying intraband-pairing approximation. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 1.386
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1016/j.physb.2014.06.032
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“Nanofilms as quantum-engineered multiband superconductors : the Ginzburg-Landau theory”. Shanenko AA, Orlova NV, Vagov A, Milošević, MV, Axt VM, Peeters FM, Europhysics letters 102, 27003 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075/102/27003
Abstract: Recently fabricated single-crystalline atomically flat metallic nanofilms are in fact quantum-engineered multiband superconductors. Here the multiband structure is dictated by the nanofilm thickness through the size quantization of the electron motion perpendicular to the nanofilm. This opens the unique possibility to explore superconductivity in well-controlled multi-band systems. However, a serious obstacle is the absence of a convenient and manageable theoretical tool to access new physical phenomena in such quasi-two-dimensional systems, including interplay of quantum confinement and fluctuations. Here we cover this gap and construct the appropriate multiband Ginzburg-Landau functional for nano-thin superconductors. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2013
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 1.957
Times cited: 8
DOI: 10.1209/0295-5075/102/27003
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“Extended Ginzburg-Landau formalism for two-band superconductors”. Shanenko AA, Milošević, MV, Peeters FM, Physical review letters 106, 047005 (2011). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.047005
Abstract: Recent observation of unusual vortex patterns in MgB2 single crystals raised speculations about possible type-1.5 superconductivity in two-band materials, mixing the properties of both type-I and type-II superconductors. However, the strict application of the standard two-band Ginzburg-Landau (GL) theory results in simply proportional order parameters of the two bandsand does not support the type-1.5 behavior. Here we derive the extended GL formalism (accounting all terms of the next order over the small τ=1-T/Tc parameter) for a two-band clean s-wave superconductor and show that the two condensates generally have different spatial scales, with the difference disappearing only in the limit T→Tc. The extended version of the two-band GL formalism improves the validity of GL theory below Tc and suggests revisiting the earlier calculations based on the standard model.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 8.462
Times cited: 84
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.047005
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“Size-dependent enhancement of superconductivity in Al and Sn nanowires: shape-resonance effect”. Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Zgirski M, Peeters FM, Arutyunov K, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 74, 052502 (2006). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.74.052502
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 95
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.74.052502
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“Atypical BCS-BEC crossover induced by quantum-size effects”. Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Vagov AV, Axt VM, Perali A, Peeters FM, Physical review : A : atomic, molecular and optical physics 86, 033612 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.86.033612
Abstract: Quantum-size oscillations of the basic physical characteristics of a confined fermionic condensate are a well-known phenomenon. Its conventional understanding is based on the single-particle physics, whereby the oscillations follow variations in the single-particle density of states driven by the size quantization. Here we present a study of a cigar-shaped ultracold superfluid Fermi gas, which demonstrates an important many-body aspect of the quantum-size coherent effects, overlooked previously. The many-body physics is revealed here in the atypical crossover from the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) superfluid to the Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) induced by the size quantization of the particle motion. The single-particle energy spectrum for the transverse dimensions is tightly bound, whereas for the longitudinal direction it resembles a quasi-free dispersion. This results in the formation of a series of single-particle subbands (shells) so that the aggregate fermionic condensate becomes a coherent mixture of subband condensates. Each time when the lower edge of a subband crosses the chemical potential, the BCS-BEC crossover is approached in this subband, and the aggregate condensate contains both BCS and BEC-like components.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.925
Times cited: 34
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.86.033612
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“Giant drop in the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer coherence length induced by quantum size effects in superconducting nanowires”. Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Vagov A, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 82, 104524 (2010). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.82.104524
Abstract: The BCS coherence length in low-dimensional superconductors is dramatically modified by quantum-size effects. In particular, for nanowires made of conventional superconducting materials, we show that the longitudinal zero-temperature coherence length exhibits width-dependent drops by 23 orders of magnitude each time when the bottom of one of single-electron subbands formed due to the transverse quantization of electron motion is situated in a close vicinity to the Fermi level. This phenomenon has strong similarities to the well-known BCS-BEC (Bose-Einstein condensation) crossover in ultracold fermionic condensates but with an important exception: it is driven by the transverse quantization of the electron motion rather than by the externally controlled strength of the fermion-fermion interaction.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 29
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.82.104524
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“Superconducting nanowires : new type of BCS-BEC crossover driven by quantum-size effects”. Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Vagov A, Peeters FM, , 119 (2011). http://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0044-4_9
Abstract: We show that a superconducting quantum nanowire undergoes a new type of BCS-BEC crossover each time when an electron subband approaches the Fermi surface. In this case the longitudinal Cooper-pair size drops by two-three orders of magnitude down to a few nanometers. This unconventional BCS-BEC crossover is driven by quantum-size effects rather than by tuning the fermion-fermion interaction.
Keywords: P1 Proceeding; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-0044-4_9
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“Magnetic-field induced quantum-size cascades in superconducting nanowires”. Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 78, 024505 (2008). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.78.024505
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 42
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.78.024505
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“Nanoscale superconductivity: nanowires and nanofilms”. Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Peeters FM, Physica: C : superconductivity 468, 593 (2008). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.physc.2007.11.053
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 1.404
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1016/j.physc.2007.11.053
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“Oscillations of the superconducting temperature induced by quantum well states in thin metallic films: numerical solution of the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations”. Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 75, 014519 (2007). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.75.014519
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 85
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.75.014519
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“Quantum-size effects on T-c in superconducting nanofilms”. Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Peeters FM, Europhysics letters 76, 498 (2006). http://doi.org/10.1209/epl/i2006-10274-6
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 1.957
Times cited: 31
DOI: 10.1209/epl/i2006-10274-6
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“Superconducting nanofilms: Andreev-type states induced by quantum confinement”. Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : solid state 78, 054505 (2008). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.78.054505
Abstract: Quantum confinement of the transverse electron motion is the major effect governing the superconducting properties of high-quality metallic nanofilms, leading to a nonuniform transverse distribution of the superconducting condensate. In this case the order parameter can exhibit significant local enhancements due to these quantum-size effects and, consequently, quasiparticles have lower energies when they avoid the local enhancements of the pair condensate. Such excitations can be considered as new Andreev-type quasiparticles but now induced by quantum confinement. By numerically solving the Bogoliubovde Gennes equations and using Anderson's approximate solution to these equations, we: (a) formulate a criterion for such new Andreev-type states (NATS) and (b) study their effect on the superconducting characteristics in metallic nanofilms. We also argue that nanofilms made of low-carrier-density materials, e.g., of superconducting semiconductors, can be a more optimal choice for the observations of NATS and other quantum-size superconducting effects.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 14
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.78.054505
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“Superconductivity in the quantum-size regime”. Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Peeters FM, , 79 (2008)
Abstract: Recent technological advances resulted in high-quality superconducting metallic nanofilms and nanowires. The physical properties of such nanostructures are governed by the size-quantization of the transverse electron spectrum. This has a substantial impact on the basic superconducting characteristics, e.g., the order parameter, the critical temperature and the critical magnetic field. In the present paper we give an overview of our theoretical results on this subject. Based on a numerical self-consistent solution of the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations, we investigate how the superconducting properties are modified in the quantum-size regime.
Keywords: P1 Proceeding; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
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“Andreev-type states induced by quantum confinement”. Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Mints RG, Peeters FM, Journal of Surface Investigation. X-ray, Synchrotron and Neutron Techniques 2, 611 (2008). http://doi.org/10.1134/S1027451008040216
Abstract: The properties of a clean superconductor with nanoscale dimensions are governed by quantum confinement of the electrons. This results in a spatially inhomogeneous superconducting condensate and in the formation of new Andreev-type quasiparticle states. These states are mainly located beyond regions where the superconducting condensate is enhanced. A numerical self-consistent solution of the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations for a cylindrical metallic nanowire shows that these new Andreev-type states decrease the ratio of the energy gap to the critical temperature.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1134/S1027451008040216
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“New Andreev-type states in superconducting nanowires”. Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Mints RG, Peeters FM, Physical review letters 99, 067007 (2007). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.067007
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 8.462
Times cited: 30
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.067007
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“Integer and half-integer quantum Hall effect in silicene: Influence of an external electric field and impurities”. Shakouri K, Vasilopoulos P, Vargiamidis V, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 90, 235423 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.235423
Abstract: The influence of silicene's strong spin-orbit interaction and of an external electric field E-z on the transport coefficients are investigated in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field B. For finite E-z the spin and valley degeneracy of the Landau levels is lifted and leads to additional plateaus in the Hall conductivity, at half-integer values of 4e(2)/h, due to spin intra-Landau-level transitions that are absent in graphene. These plateaus are more sensitive to disorder and thermal broadening than the main plateaus, occurring at integral values of 4e(2)/h, when the Fermi level passes through the Landau levels. We also evaluate the Hall and longitudinal resistivities and critically contrast the results with those for graphene on a substrate.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 32
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.235423
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“Spin- and valley-dependent magnetotransport in periodically modulated silicene”. Shakouri K, Vasilopoulos P, Vargiamidis V, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 90, 125444 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.125444
Abstract: The low-energy physics of silicene is described by Dirac fermions with a strong spin-orbit interaction and its band structure can be controlled by an external perpendicular electric field E-z. We investigate the commensurability oscillations in silicene modulated by a weak periodic potential V = V-0 cos(2 pi y/a(0)) with a(0) as its period, in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field B and of a weak sinusoidal electric field E-z = E-0 cos(2 pi y/b(0)), where b(0) is its period. We show that the spin and valley degeneracy of the Landau levels is lifted, due to the modulation, and that the interplay between the strong spin-orbit interaction and the potential and electric field modulations can result in spin- and valley-resolved magnetotransport. At very weak magnetic fields the commensurability oscillations induced by a weak potential modulation can exhibit a beating pattern depending on the strength of the homogenous electric field Ez but this is not the case when only Ez is modulated. The Hall conductivity plateaus acquire a step structure, due to spin and valley intra-Landau-level transitions, that is absent in unmodulated silicene. The results are critically contrasted with those for graphene and the two-dimensional electron gas.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 31
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.125444
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“Spin- and valley-dependent commensurability oscillations and electric-field-induced quantum Hall plateaux in periodically modulated silicene”. Shakouri K, Vasilopoulos P, Vargiamidis V, Hai G-Q, Peeters FM, Applied physics letters 104, 213109 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4878509
Abstract: We study the commensurability oscillations in silicene subject to a perpendicular electric field E-z, a weak magnetic field B, and a weak periodic potential V = V-0 cos(Cy); C = 2 pi/a(0) with a(0) its period. The field E-z and/or the modulation lift the spin degeneracy of the Landau levels and lead to spin and valley resolved Weiss oscillations. The spin resolution is maximal when the field E-z is replaced by a periodic one E-z = E-0 cos(Dy); D = 2 pi/b(0), while the valley one is maximal for b(0) = a(0). In certain ranges of B values, the current is fully spin or valley polarized. Additional quantum Hall conductivity plateaux arise due to spin and valley intra-Landau-level transitions. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.411
Times cited: 16
DOI: 10.1063/1.4878509
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“Effective spin-orbit interaction Hamiltonian for quasi-one-dimensional quantum rings”. Shakouri K, Szafran B, Esmaeilzadeh M, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 85, 165314 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.165314
Abstract: The effective Hamiltonian for an electron in a quasi-one-dimensional quantum ring in the presence of spin-orbit interactions is derived. We demonstrate that, when both coupling types are simultaneously present, the effective Hamiltonian derived by the lowest-radial-state approximation produces energy spectra and charge densities which deviate strongly from the exact ones. For equal Rashba and Dresselhaus coupling constants the lowest-radial-state approximation opens artifactal avoided crossings in the energy spectra and deforms the circular symmetry of the confined charge densities. In this case, there does not exist a ring thin enough to justify the restriction to the lowest radially quantized energy state. We derive the effective Hamiltonian accounting for both the lowest and the first excited radial states, and show that the inclusion of the latter restores the correct features of the exact solution. Relation of this result to the states of a quantum wire is also discussed.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 32
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.165314
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“Tunable spin and charge transport in silicene nanoribbons”. Shakouri K, Simchi H, Esmaeilzadeh M, Mazidabadi H, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 92, 035413 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.92.035413
Abstract: Using the tight-binding formalism, we study spin and charge transport through a zigzag silicene ribbon subject to an external electric field E-z. The effect of an exchange field M-z is also taken into account and its consequences on the band structure as well as spin transport are evaluated. We show that the band structure lacks spin inversion symmetry in the presence of intrinsic spin-orbit interaction in combination of E-z and M-z fields. Our quantum transport calculations indicate that for certain energy ranges of the incoming electrons the silicene ribbon can act as a controllable high-efficiency spin polarizer. The polarization maxima occur simultaneously with the van Hove singularities of the local density of states. In this case, the combination of electric and exchange fields is the key to achieving nearly perfect spin polarization, which also leads to the appearance of additional narrow plateaus in the quantum conductance. Moreover, we demonstrate that the output current still remains completely spin-polarized for low-energy carriers even when a few edge vacancies are present.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 70
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.92.035413
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“Spin- and pseudospin-polarized quantum Hall liquids in HgTe quantum wells”. Shakouri K, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 92, 045416 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.92.045416
Abstract: A Hg(Cd)Te insulator heterostructure hosts a two-dimensional electron system that can simulate the physics of Dirac fermions with only a single valley. We investigate the magnetotransport properties of this structure and show that, unlike most two-dimensional crystals with spin and valley coupled levels, the Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations exhibit a high spin polarization in the absence of any valley degree of freedom. This effect can be observed using magnetospectroscopy measurements for quantum well thicknesses corresponding to either the topologically trivial or quantum spin Hall phases. The pseudospin texture of the electrons near the Fermi level is also studied and we show that a tunable pseudospin-polarized quantum Hall liquid can only be observed for thicknesses corresponding to the inverted regime.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 3
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.92.045416
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“Effect of spin-orbit couplings in graphene with and without potential modulation”. Shakouri K, Masir MR, Jellal A, Choubabi EB, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 88, 115408 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.88.115408
Abstract: We investigate the effect of Rashba and intrinsic spin-orbit couplings on the electronic properties and spin configurations of Dirac fermions confined in: (i) a flat graphene sheet, (ii) a graphene wire with p-n-p structure, and (iii) a superlattice of graphene wires. The interplay between the spin-orbit interaction mechanisms breaks the electron-hole symmetry and the spin configuration induced by Rashba spin-orbit coupling lacks inversion symmetry in k space. We show that the Rashba spin-orbit interaction doubles the Fabry-Perot resonant modes in the transmission spectrum of a graphene wire and opens new channels for the electron transmission. Moreover, it leads to the appearance of spin split extra Dirac cones in the energy spectrum of a graphene superlattice. It is shown that the spin of the electrons and holes confined in a flat graphene sheet is always perpendicular to their motion while this is not the case for the other nanostructures.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 36
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.88.115408
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“Helical liquid of snake states”. Shakouri K, Badalyan SM, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 88, 195404 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.88.195404
Abstract: We derive an exact solution to the problem of spin snake states induced in a nonhomogeneous magnetic field by a combined action of the Rashba spin-orbit and Zeeman fields. The electron spin behavior as a function of the cyclotron orbit center position and an external homogeneous magnetic field was obtained. It is shown that in an antisymmetric magnetic field the electron spin in the snake states has only an in-plane projection, perpendicular to the magnetic interface, which vanishes at large positive momenta. Applying an external homogeneous magnetic field adds a finite out-of-plane spin component and simultaneously gaps out the spectral branches, which results in regular beating patterns of the spin current components.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 3
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.88.195404
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“Transport characteristics of multi-terminal pristine and defective phosphorene systems”. Shah NA, Li LL, Mosallanejad V, Peeters FM, Guo G-P, Nanotechnology 30, 455705 (2019). http://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6528/AB3961
Abstract: Atomic vacancies and nanopores act as local scattering centers and modify the transport properties of charge carriers in phosphorene nanoribbons (PNRs). We investigate the influence of such atomic defects on the electronic transport of multi-terminal PNR. We use the non-equilibrium Green's function approach within the tight-binding framework to calculate the transmission coefficient and the conductance. Terminals induce band mixing resulting in oscillations in the conductance. In the presence of atomic vacancies and nanopores the conductance between non-axial terminals exhibit constructive scattering, which is in contrast to mono-axial two-terminal systems where the conductance exhibits destructive scattering. This can be understood from the spatial local density of states of the transport modes in the system. Our results provide fundamental insights into the electronic transport in PNR-based multi-terminal systems and into the ability of atomic defects and nanopores through tuning the transport properties.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.44
Times cited: 8
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/AB3961
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“Axion insulator states in a topological insulator proximitized to magnetic insulators : a tight-binding characterization”. Shafiei M, Fazileh F, Peeters FM, Milošević, MV, Physical review materials 6, 074205 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVMATERIALS.6.074205
Abstract: The recent discovery of axion states in materials such as antiferromagnetic topological insulators has boosted investigations of the magnetoelectric response in topological insulators and their promise towards realizing dissipationless topological electronics. In this paper, we develop a tight-binding methodology to explore the emergence of axion states in Bi2Se3 in proximity to magnetic insulators on the top and bottom surfaces. The topological protection of the surface states is lifted by a time-reversal-breaking perturbation due to the proximity of a magnetic insulator, and a gap is opened on the surfaces, giving rise to half-quantized Hall conductance and a zero Hall plateau-evidencing an axion insulator state. We developed a real-space tight-binding Hamiltonian for Bi2Se3 using first-principles data. Transport properties of the system were obtained within the Landauer-Buttiker formalism, and we discuss the creation of axion states through Hall conductance and a zero Hall plateau at the surfaces, as a function of proximitized magnetization and corresponding potentials at the surfaces, as well as the thickness of the topological insulator.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.4
Times cited: 4
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVMATERIALS.6.074205
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“Controlling the hybridization gap and transport in a thin-film topological insulator : effect of strain, and electric and magnetic field”. Shafiei M, Fazileh F, Peeters FM, Milošević, MV, Physical review B 106, 035119 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.106.035119
Abstract: In a thin-film topological insulator (TI), the edge states on two surfaces may couple by quantum tunneling, opening a gap known as the hybridization gap. Controlling the hybridization gap and transport has a variety of potential uses in photodetection and energy-harvesting applications. In this paper, we report the effect of strain, and electric and magnetic field, on the hybridization gap and transport in a thin Bi2Se3 film, investigated within the tight-binding theoretical framework. We demonstrate that vertical compression decreases the hybridization gap, as does tensile in-plane strain. Applying an electric field breaks the inversion symmetry and leads to a Rashba-like spin splitting proportional to the electric field, hence closing and reopening the gap. The influence of a magnetic field on thin-film TI is also discussed, starting from the role of an out-of-plane magnetic field on quantum Hall states. We further demonstrate that the hybridization gap can be controlled by an in-plane magnetic field, and that by applying a sufficiently strong field a quantum phase transition from an insulator to a semimetal can be achieved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.7
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.106.035119
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“High Chern number in strained thin films of dilute magnetic topological insulators”. Shafiei M, Fazileh F, Peeters FM, Milošević, MV, Physical review B 107, 195119 (2023). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.107.195119
Abstract: The quantum anomalous Hall effect was first observed experimentally by doping the Bi2Se3 materials family with chromium, where 5% doping induces an exchange field of around 0.1 eV. In ultrathin films, a topological phase transition from a normal insulator to a Chern insulator can be induced with an exchange field proportional to the hybridization gap. Subsequent transitions to states with higher Chern numbers require an exchange field larger than the (bulk) band gap, but are prohibited in practice by the detrimental effects of higher doping levels. Here, we show that threshold doping for these phase transitions in thin films is controllable by strain. As a consequence, higher Chern states can be reached with experimentally feasible doping, sufficiently dilute for the topological insulator to remain structurally stable. Such a facilitated realization of higher Chern insulators opens prospects for multichannel quantum computing, higher-capacity circuit interconnects, and energy-efficient electronic devices at elevated temperatures.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.7
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.107.195119
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“Floquet engineering of axion and high-Chern number phases in a topological insulator under illumination”. Shafiei M, Fazileh F, Peeters FM, Milošević, MV, SciPost Physics Core 7, 024 (2024). http://doi.org/10.21468/SCIPOSTPHYSCORE.7.2.024
Abstract: Quantum anomalous Hall, high-Chern number, and axion phases in topological insulators are characterized by its Chern invariant C (respectively, C = 1, integer C > 1, and C = 0 with half-quantized Hall conductance of opposite signs on top and bottom surfaces). They are of recent interest because of novel fundamental physics and prospective applications, but identifying and controlling these phases has been challenging in practice. Here we show that these states can be created and switched between in thin films of Bi2Se3 by Floquet engineering, using irradiation by circularly polarized light. We present the calculated phase diagrams of encountered topological phases in Bi2Se3, as a function of wavelength and amplitude of light, as well as sample thickness, after properly taking into account the penetration depth of light and the variation of the gap in the surface states. These findings open pathways towards energy-efficient optoelectronics, advanced sensing, quantum information processing and metrology.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
DOI: 10.21468/SCIPOSTPHYSCORE.7.2.024
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“Tailoring weak and metallic phases in a strong topological insulator by strain and disorder : conductance fluctuations signatures”. Shafiei M, Fazileh F, Peeters FM, Milošević, MV, Physical review B 109, 045129 (2024). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.109.045129
Abstract: Transport measurements are readily used to probe different phases in disordered topological insulators (TIs), where determining topological invariants explicitly is challenging. On that note, universal conductance fluctuations (UCF) theory asserts the conductance G for an ensemble has a Gaussian distribution, and that standard deviation 8G depends solely on the symmetries and dimensions of the system. Using a real-space tight -binding Hamiltonian on a system with Anderson disorder, we explore conductance fluctuations in a thin Bi2Se3 film and demonstrate the agreement of their behavior with UCF hypotheses. We further show that magnetic field applied out-of-plane breaks the time -reversal symmetry and transforms the system's Wigner-Dyson class from root symplectic to unitary, increasing 8G by 2. Finally, we reveal that while Bi2Se3 is a strong TI, weak TI and metallic phases can be stabilized in presence of strain and disorder, and detected by monitoring the conductance fluctuations.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.7
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.109.045129
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“Gate induced monolayer behavior in twisted bilayer black phosphorus”. Sevik C, Wallbank JR, Gulseren O, Peeters FM, Çakir D, 2D materials 4, 035025 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1583/AA80C4
Abstract: Optical and electronic properties of black phosphorus strongly depend on the number of layers and type of stacking. Using first-principles calculations within the framework of density functional theory, we investigate the electronic properties of bilayer black phosphorus with an interlayer twist angle of 90 degrees. These calculations are complemented with a simple (k) over right arrow . (p) over right arrow model which is able to capture most of the low energy features and is valid for arbitrary twist angles. The electronic spectrum of 90 degrees twisted bilayer black phosphorus is found to be x-y isotropic in contrast to the monolayer. However x-y anisotropy, and a partial return to monolayer-like behavior, particularly in the valence band, can be induced by an external out-of-plane electric field. Moreover, the preferred hole effective mass can be rotated by 90 degrees simply by changing the direction of the applied electric field. In particular, a +0.4 (-0.4) V angstrom(1) out-of-plane electric field results in a similar to 60% increase in the hole effective mass along the y (x) axis and enhances the m(y)*/m(x)* (m(x)*/m(y)*) ratio as much as by a factor of 40. Our DFT and (k) over right arrow . (p) over right arrow simulations clearly indicate that the twist angle in combination with an appropriate gate voltage is a novel way to tune the electronic and optical properties of bilayer phosphorus and it gives us a new degree of freedom to engineer the properties of black phosphorus based devices.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 6.937
Times cited: 13
DOI: 10.1088/2053-1583/AA80C4
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