Finite Size Effects on Helical Edge States in a Quantum Spin-Hall System
Title | Finite Size Effects on Helical Edge States in a Quantum Spin-Hall System |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2008 |
Authors | Zhou, Bin, Lu Hai-Zhou, Chu Rui-Lin, and Shen Shun-Qing |
Corporate Authors | Qian Niu |
Journal | Physical Review Letter |
Volume | 101 |
Issue | 24 |
Start Page | 246807 |
Date Published | 10 December 2008 |
Abstract | The hallmark of the spin-Hall insulator is the presence of gapless edge states of different spins moving in opposite directions. Through analytical solutions in a model calculation for a strip of finite width, we find that edge states on the two sides can couple together to produce a gap in the spectrum, destroying the quantum spin-Hall effect. The application of a magnetic field can however modify and even remove the gap by shifting the momenta of the edge states relative to each other. |
URL | http://prl.aps.org/abstract/PRL/v101/i24/e246807 |
DOI | 10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.246807 |
Short Title | Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 246807 (2008) |