Theory Department
Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics
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Rauch, T., Flieger, M., Henk, J., Mertig, I., Ernst, A.

Dual topological character of chalcogenides: Theory for Bi2Te3
Physical Review Letters 112, (1),pp 016802/1-5 (2014)
A topological insulator is realized via band inversions driven by the spin-orbit interaction. In the case of Z2 topological phases, the number of band inversions is odd and time-reversal invariance is a further unalterable ingredient. For topological crystalline insulators, the number of band inversions may be even but mirror symmetry is required. Here, we prove that the chalcogenide Bi2Te3 is a dual topological insulator: it is simultaneously in a Z2 topological phase with Z2 invariants (v0;v1v2v3) = (1;000) and in a topological crystalline phase with mirror Chern number -1. In our theoretical investigation we show in addition that the Z22 phase can be broken by magnetism while keeping the topological crystalline phase. As a consequence, the Dirac state at the (111) surface is shifted off the time-reversal invariant momentum Γ; being protected by mirror symmetry, there is no band gap opening. Our observations provide theoretical groundwork for opening the research on magnetic control of topological phases in quantum devices.

TH-2014-01