Optical properties of helical edge channels in zinc-blende-type topological insulators: selection rules, circular and linear dichroism, circular and linear photocurrents

We develop a theory of electron-photon interaction for helical edge channels in two-dimensional topological insulators based on zinc-blende-type quantum wells. It is shown that the lack of space inversion symmetry in such structures enables the electro-dipole optical transitions between the spin bra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of physics. Condensed matter 2019-01, Vol.31 (3), p.035301-035301
Main Authors: Durnev, M V, Tarasenko, S A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
dichroism
edge photogalvanic effect
HgTe quantum well
topological insulators
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Summary:We develop a theory of electron-photon interaction for helical edge channels in two-dimensional topological insulators based on zinc-blende-type quantum wells. It is shown that the lack of space inversion symmetry in such structures enables the electro-dipole optical transitions between the spin branches of the topological edge states. Further, we demonstrate the linear and circular dichroism associated with the edge states and the generation of edge photocurrents controlled by radiation polarization.
ISSN:0953-8984
1361-648X
DOI:10.1088/1361-648X/aaf024