Topological magnetoelectric response in ferromagnetic axion insulators  

作　　者：Yuhao Wan Jiayu Li Qihang Liu 

机构地区：[1]Department of Physics and Shenzhen Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering(SIQSE),Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen 518055,China [2]Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Advanced Quantum Functional Materials and Devices,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen 518055,China [3]Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Computational Science and Material Design,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen 518055,China

出　　处：《National Science Review》2024年第2期3-9,共7页国家科学评论（英文版）

基　　金：supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2020YFA0308900);the Science,Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality(ZDSYS20190902092905285);the Guangdong Innovative and Entrepreneurial Research Team Program(2017ZT07C062);the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Computational Science and Material Design(2019B030301001).

摘　　要：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 MnBi_(2)Te_(4)/(Bi_(2)Te_(3))_(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 circulating in parallel.Thus,the orbital magnetization from the two topological origins can be easily distinguished by reversing the electric field.Our work paves the way for direct observation of the TME in realistic axion-insulator materials.

关 键 词：topological magnetoelectric effect axion insulator magnetic topological materials 

分 类 号：O469[理学—凝聚态物理]