Zeila Zanolli1
Utrecht University1
In a few years, the energy consumption for information processing will constitute more than 25% of the total electrical energy consumption. Topological materials allow for symmetry-protected dissipationless electron transport along the edges of 2D materials, which offers a possible solution to the sustainability issue of electronics. However, controlling the topological properties of a material is an open research question.<br/><br/>We use first-principles Density Functional Theory simulations to predict pathways to control topological properties in 2D materials and, possibly, induce or strengthen the topological phase transition. The different strategies include proximity interaction with a magnetic substrate [1, 2], van der Waals interaction with the substrate [3, 4], twisting 2D heterostructures [5], and using an external electric field to manipulate spins in a Quantum Spin Hall insulator [6]. Going further, I will discuss the role of dimensionality in going from a 3D topological insulator to the 2D limit [7].<br/><br/><br/>References<br/>[1] Z. Zanolli, C. Niu, G. Bihlmayer, Y. Mokrousov, P. Mavropoulos, M. J. Verstraete, and S. Blügel, Hybrid quantum anomalous Hall effect at graphene-oxide interfaces, Phys. Rev. B <b>98</b>, 155404 (2018)<br/>[2] Z. Zanolli<i>, Graphene-multiferroic interfaces for spintronics applications</i>, Scientific Reports, <b>6</b>, 31346 (2016)<br/>[3] N Wittemeier, P Ordejón, Z Zanolli, <i>Tuning the topological band gap of bismuthene with silicon-based substrates</i>, J. Phys. Mater. <b>5</b> 035002 (2022)<br/>[4] S. Singh, Z. Zanolli, M. Amsler, B. Belhadji, J. O. Sofo, M. J. Verstraete, A. H. Romero, <i>Low energy phases of bilayer Bi predicted by structure search in two dimensions</i>, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., <b>10</b>, 7324-7332 (2019)<br/>[5] A. Pezo, Z. Zanolli, N. Wittemeier, P. Ordejón, A. Fazzio, S. Roche, J. H. Garcia, <i>Manipulation of spin transport in graphene/transition metal dichalcogenide heterobilayers upon twisting</i>, 2D Mater. <b>9</b> 015008 (2022)<br/>[6] J. H Garcia, et al. <i>Electrical control of spin-polarized topological currents in monolayer WTe<sub>2</sub></i>, Phys. Rev. B <b>106</b>, L161410 (2022)<br/>[7] J. R. Moes et al, <i>Colloidal Bi<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>3</sub> platelets with topological edge states</i> (submitted, 2023)