Electrically Conducting Pathways on Topological Crystalline Insulators (VIDEO)

University of Würzburg

Caption

On surface of topological crystalline insulators created by cleaving one finds atomically flat terraces which are separated by step edges. Their electronic properties depend on the particular height of the step edge. If the height corresponds to an odd number of atomic layers (right), electrically conducting pathways are formed. When they carry electrical currents electrons with different spin move into opposite directions -- similar to cars moving on the separate carriageways of a highway.

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Video: Thomas Bathon/Paolo Sessi/Matthias Bode

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