Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)

Abstract: Intrinsic magnetic topological insulators offers an ideal platform to explore exotic topological phenomena, such as axion electrodynamics, quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect and Majorana edge modes. However, these emerging new physical effects have rarely been experimentally observed due to the limited choice of suitable materials. Here, we predict the van der Waals layered V$_2$WS$_4$ and its related materials show intralayer ferromagnetic and interlayer antiferromagnetic exchange interactions. We find extremely rich magnetic topological states in V$_2$WS$_4$, including an antiferromagnetic topological insulator, the axion state with the long-sought quantized topological magnetoelectric effect, three-dimensional QAH state, as well as a collection of QAH insulators and intrinsic axion insulators in odd- and even-layer films, respectively. Remarkably, the N\'eel temperature of V$_2$WS$_4$ is predicted to be much higher than that of MnBi$_2$Te$_4$. These interesting predictions, if realized experimentally, could greatly promote the topological quantum physics research and application.

Abstract: In this work, we theoretically investigate the optical orientation and alignment of excitons in quantum dots with weak electron-hole exchange interaction and long exciton radiative lifetimes. This particular regime is realized in semiconductor heterosystems where excitons are indirect in the $\boldsymbol r$ or $\boldsymbol k$ space. The main role in the fine structure of excitonic levels in these systems is played by the hyperfine interaction of the electron in the confined exciton and fluctuations of the Overhauser field. Along with it, the effects of nonradiative recombination and exchange interaction are considered. We start with the model of vanishing exchange interaction and nonradiative exciton recombination and then include them into consideration in addition to the strong Overhauser field. In the nanoobjects under study, the polarization properties of the resonant photoluminescence are shown to vary with the external magnetic filed in completely different way as compared with the behaviour of the conventional quantum dot structures.

Abstract: We investigate the electronic, structural and topological properties of the SnTe and PbTe cubic nanowires using ab-initio calculations. Using standard and linear-scale density functional theory, we go from the ultrathin limit up to the nanowires thicknesses observed experimentally. Finite-size effects in the ultra-thin limit produce an electric quadrupole and associated structural distortions, these distortions increase the band gap but they get reduced with the size of the nanowires and become less and less relevant. Ultrathin SnTe cubic nanowires are trivial band gap insulators, we demonstrate that by increasing the thickness there is an electronic transition to a spin-orbit insulating phase due to trivial surface states in the regime of thin nanowires. These trivial surface states with a spin-orbit gap of a few meV appear at the same k-point of the topological surface states. Going to the limit of thick nanowires, we should observe the transition to the topological crystalline insulating phase with the presence of two massive surface Dirac fermions hybridized with the persisting trivial surface states. Therefore, we have the co-presence of massive Dirac surface states and trivial surface states close to the Fermi level in the same region of the k-space. According to our estimation, the cubic SnTe nanowires are trivial insulators below the critical thickness tc1=10 nm, and they become spin-orbit insulators between tc1=10 nm and tc2=17 nm, while they transit to the topological phase above the critical thickness of tc2=17 nm. These critical thickness values are in the range of the typical experimental thicknesses, making the thickness a relevant parameter for the synthesis of topological cubic nanowires. Pb(1-x)Sn(x)Te nanowires would have both these critical thicknesses tc1 and tc2 at larger values depending on the doping concentration.

Abstract: van der Waals (vdW) magnets, an emerging family of two-dimensional (2D) materials, have received tremendous attention due to their rich fundamental physics and significant potential for cutting-edge technological applications. In contrast to the conventional bulk counterparts, vdW magnets exhibit significant tunability of local material properties, such as stacking engineered interlayer coupling and layer-number dependent magnetic and electronic interactions, which promise to deliver previously unavailable merits to develop multifunctional microelectronic devices. As a further ingredient of this emerging topic, here we report nanoscale quantum sensing and imaging of atomically thin vdW magnet chromium thiophosphate CrPS4, revealing its characteristic layer-dependent 2D static magnetism and dynamic spin fluctuations. We also show a large tunneling magnetoresistance in CrPS4-based spin filter vdW heterostructures. The excellent material stability, robust strategy against environmental degradation, in combination with tailored magnetic properties highlight the potential of CrPS4 in developing state-of-the-art 2D spintronic devices for next-generation information technologies.

Abstract: Epitaxially-grown semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) provide an attractive platform for the development of deterministic sources of high-quality quantum states of light. Such non-classical light sources are essential for quantum information processing and quantum communication. QDs emitting in the telecom wavelengths are especially important for ensuring compatibility with optical fiber systems required to implement quantum communication networks. To this end, GaSb QDs fabricated by filling local-droplet etched nanoholes are emerging as a viable approach, yet the electronic properties of such nanostructures have not been studied in detail. In this article, an insight into the electronic structure and carrier dynamics in GaSb/AlGaSb QDs is provided through a systematic experimental analysis of their temperature-dependent photoluminescence behavior. A steady-state rate equation model is used to reveal the relevant energy barriers for thermally activated carrier capture and escape processes. Furthermore, results of detailed theoretical simulations of quantum-confined energy states using the multi-band k.p model and the effective mass method are presented. The purpose of the simulations is to reveal the direct and indirect energy states, carrier wavefunctions, and allowed optical transitions for GaSb QDs with different physical dimensions.