Topological insulators (TI) represent a new state of quantum matter. TIs have insulating bulk (like an ordinary insulator) and exotic metallic surface states. These states are described by a relativistic-like Dirac equation for massless particles that models their unconvenitional behaviour. In particular, the direction of electron spin for Dirac electron is perfectly correlated (or locked) with the direction of its momentum. That is why interplay between Dirac electrons and magnetism (such as depositing magnetic atoms to the surface or interfaces (sandwich-like structures) between TI and magnets) is very rich, and this rich area is the focus of this research topic.
Supervisor: Dr Dmitry Efimkin
See https://www.monash.edu/science/schools/physics/honours/honours-project to apply.