Topological Phases in Two-Dimensional Materials: A Brief Review

TL;DR

This review summarizes recent advances in engineering topological phases in two-dimensional materials, highlighting their fundamental physics and potential applications in electronics and spintronics.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in creating and controlling topologically nontrivial phases in various 2D material systems.

Findings

Progress in realizing $ ext{Z}_2$ topological insulators in 2D materials

Observation of quantum anomalous Hall effects in engineered systems

Development of quantum valley Hall effects in atomic layers

Abstract

Topological phases with insulating bulk and gapless surface or edge modes have attracted much attention because of their fundamental physics implications and potential applications in dissipationless electronics and spintronics. In this review, we mainly focus on the recent progress in the engineering of topologically nontrivial phases (such as $\mathbb{Z}_2$ topological insulators, quantum anomalous Hall effects, quantum valley Hall effects \textit{etc.}) in two-dimensional material systems, including quantum wells, atomic crystal layers of elements from group III to group VII, and the transition metal compounds.