The resistance of 2D Topological insulator in the absence of the quantized transport

TL;DR

This paper investigates the unusual transport properties of HgTe quantum wells, revealing resistance behavior inconsistent with existing topological insulator models, suggesting new physics beyond current theories.

Contribution

It reports experimental findings of non-insulating resistance in 2D topological insulators, challenging existing theoretical models based on helical Luttinger liquids.

Findings

Resistance remains high without insulating behavior

Results contradict current helical Luttinger liquid models

Edge state contributions do not lead to expected quantized transport

Abstract

We report unconventional transport properties of HgTe wells with inverted band structure: the resistance does not show insulating behavior even when it is of the order of $10^2\times h/2e^{2}$. The system is expected to be a two-dimensional topological insulator with a dominant edge state contribution. The results are inconsistent with theoretical models developed within the framework of the helical Luttinger liquid.