Classical electromagnetic model of surface states in topological insulators

Akhlesh Lakhtakia; Tom G. Mackay

doi:10.1117/1.JNP.10.033004

8 February 2016 Classical electromagnetic model of surface states in topological insulators

Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Tom G. Mackay

Author Affiliations +

Journal of Nanophotonics, Vol. 10, Issue 3, 033004 (February 2016). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JNP.10.033004

Abstract

A topological insulator is classically modeled as an isotropic material with a magnetoelectric pseudoscalar Ψ existing in its bulk while its surface is charge free and current free. An alternative model is obtained by setting Ψ≡0 and incorporating surface charge and current densities characterized by an admittance γ. Analysis of planewave reflection and refraction due to a topological-insulator half space reveals that the parameters Ψ and γ arise identically in the reflection and transmission coefficients, implying that the two classical models cannot be distinguished on the basis of any scattering scenario. However, as Ψ disappears from the Maxwell equations applicable to any region occupied by the topological insulator, and because surface states exist on topological insulators as protected conducting states, the alternative model must be chosen.

CC BY: © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI.

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Akhlesh Lakhtakia and Tom G. Mackay "Classical electromagnetic model of surface states in topological insulators," Journal of Nanophotonics 10(3), 033004 (8 February 2016). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JNP.10.033004

Published: 8 February 2016

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KEYWORDS

Dielectrics

Reflection

Electromagnetism

Maxwell's equations

Refraction

Scattering

Chemical elements

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