Magnetic Force Imaging of 2D Topological Insulators

TL;DR

This study introduces a magnetic force microscopy technique to directly image and analyze topological edge states in 2D topological insulators, revealing persistent currents and spin-related phenomena at room temperature.

Contribution

Developed a novel magnetic imaging method for 2D topological insulators, enabling direct observation of edge currents and their dynamics, which were previously inaccessible.

Findings

Magnetic signals associated with topological edge states were directly imaged.

Persistent and Faraday-induced currents contribute to the observed magnetic signals.

Spin accumulation along edges influences charge current formation, suggesting new low-loss circuit concepts.

Abstract

Two-dimensional topological insulators are central to our understanding of the connection between topological symmetries in a material and its band electronics. Within this class of materials, a breadth of complex quantum behaviors, such as persistent spin-polarized current states in the presence of a broken time reversal symmetry, and temperature-independent topological protection of quantum states, are thought to exist. However, current studies using photoemission and spectroscopic analyses or transport experiments fail to provide insight into the interplay between the physical 2D manifold and the band topology itself, since they do not provide spatial resolution of the phenomena to be understood. In this work, we develop a methodology for applying magnetic force microscopy to such systems to address this issue. Using well-characterized 2D crystallites of bismuth telluride ($Bi_2$$Te_3$), we image the magnetic signal directly associated with topological edge states. The observed phase contrast is remarkably robust at a temperature of 25{\deg}C and occurs across crystallite sizes and shapes. A detailed analysis of the magnetic imaging suggests that the current observed is composed of two parts: the first is a persistent current ($I_{Persistent}$) as predicted by theory, and the second is due to Faraday induction, $I_{Faraday}$. Damping dynamics of the cantilever during imaging further suggest that this Faraday EMF is established by spin accumulation along the 1D edge channel of the crystal, which then converts to a charge current in the presence of time reversal symmetry breaking, creating a novel form of rectification in the channel. This unexpected result can prompt new ideas for topology-based circuit elements with extremely low losses and power consumption.