Experimental signatures of 3d fractional topological insulators

TL;DR

This paper discusses potential experimental signatures of three-dimensional fractional topological insulators, highlighting their unique surface states, fractional charges, and responses, and how they can be detected through various experimental probes.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of how fractional topological insulators can be identified experimentally, despite the lack of specific material predictions.

Findings

Identification of experimental probes like photoemission and tunneling

Discussion of effects of doping and superconductivity

Arguments for feasible experimental detection

Abstract

In this work we explore experimental signatures of fractional topological insulators in three dimensions. These are states of matter with a fully gapped bulk that host exotic gapless surface states and fractionally charged quasiparticles. They are partially characterized by a non-trivial magneto-electric response while preserving time reversal. We describe how these phases appear in a variety of probes including photoemmission, tunneling, and quantum oscillations. We also discuss the effects of doping and proximate superconductivity. We argue that despite our current theoretical inability to predict materials where such phases will realized, they should be relatively easy to detect experimentally.