Diamond scanning probe for characterization of topological insulators
Abstract
As a new state of matter, Topological Insulators (TI) with insulating bulk but conducting surface states are recognized as the key for the implementation of low power consumption devices for high?performance and low power electronics, and quantum computing. To identify the full potential of TI materials, characterization and modelling of TI are needed. In this project, we will develop a full optical method to characterize TI. Our approach takes advantage of scanning quantum probe type technology. Because of the unique electromagnetic boundary conditions of Tl that relate the electric and magnetic fields at the surface of the TI, we monitor the change in far?field fluorescence from a single dipole as a function of the type of material: conductor vs insulator vs TI. The interference is due to interactions between the dipole and the effective mirror dipole inside and outside the material. We propose to use diamond pillars or nanodiamonds with single color centers, initially concentrating on the nitrogen?vacancy (NV) color center, to develop a robust scanning optical tool to characterize and identify TI. This technique has the potential of being fast and able to scan wide areas (typically hundreds of microns) with spatial resolution around the tens to hundred nanometer level. Another useful readout information of our method to characterize TI will use the magnetic sensing capability of NV centers to characterize the magnetic field response of TI to electric fields, since a magnetic field arises when an electric field is applied near the surface due to the special electromagnetic boundary properties of Tl. Our proposed method, based on novel electromagnetic modelling and scanning diamond probe technology, promises new insights into the characterization and optimization of materials for TI?based devices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 21, 2022
- Source ID
- FA23862114125XX0
Entities
People
- Brant C Gibson
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- RMIT University
- United States Air Force