Quantum spin Hall phase in GeSn heterostructures on silicon

Quantum phases of solid-state electron systems can sustain exotic phenomena and a very rich spin physics. We utilize model-solid theory to show that Ge_{1−x}Sn_{x} alloys, an emerging group IV semiconductor, can be engineered into heterostructures that demonstrate a broken-gap alignment. Furthermore...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: B. M. Ferrari, F. Marcantonio, F. Murphy-Armando, M. Virgilio, F. Pezzoli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2023-05-01
Series:Physical Review Research
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.5.L022035
Description
Summary:Quantum phases of solid-state electron systems can sustain exotic phenomena and a very rich spin physics. We utilize model-solid theory to show that Ge_{1−x}Sn_{x} alloys, an emerging group IV semiconductor, can be engineered into heterostructures that demonstrate a broken-gap alignment. Furthermore, the eight-band k·p method is used to disclose a quantum spin Hall phase in heterojunctions that accommodates the existence of gate-controlled chiral edge states. This proposal introduces a practical silicon-based architecture that spontaneously sustains topological properties, while being compatible with the high-volume manufacture of semiconductor technologies.
ISSN:2643-1564