Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-24-2014
Abstract
When Dirac electrons on the surface of a topological insulator are gapped, the resulting quantum anomalous Hall effect leads to universal magneto-optical Faraday and Kerr effects in the low-frequency limit. However, at higher frequencies different excitations can leave their own fingerprints on the magneto-optics and can therefore be probed. In particular, we investigate the role of localized in-gap states - which inevitably appear in the presence of charged impurities - on these higher-frequency magneto-optical effects. We have shown that these states resonantly contribute to the Hall conductivity and are magneto-optically active. These in-gap states lead to peculiar resonant signatures in the frequency dependence of the Faraday and Kerr angles, distinct in character to the contribution of in-gap excitonic states, and they can be probed in ellipsometry measurements.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Recommended Citation
Wilson, J., Efimkin, D., & Galitski, V. (2014). Resonant Faraday and Kerr effects due to in-gap states on the surface of a topological insulator. Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, 90 (20) https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.205432