Impurity scattering in the bulk of topological insulators

TL;DR

This paper investigates how impurity scattering in the bulk of topological insulators is influenced by their band structure, revealing a band inversion effect and discussing potential experimental implications.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of impurity scattering effects in topological insulators, highlighting the impact of band inversion on scattering strength.

Findings

Impurity scattering strength varies with the bulk band structure.

Band inversion significantly affects scattering behavior.

Experimental consequences are discussed.

Abstract

We study in this paper time-reversal $\delta$-impurity scattering effects in the bulk of topological insulators (TI) in two and three dimensions. Specifically we consider how impurity scattering strength is affected by the bulk band structure of topological insulators. An interesting band inversion effect associated with the change of the system from ordinary to topological insulator is pointed out. Experimental consequences of our findings are discussed.