Magnetized Topological Insulator Multilayers

Abstract

We discuss the magnetic and topological properties of bulk crystals and quasi-two-dimensional thin films formed by stacking intrinsic magnetized topological insulator ( for example Mn(Sb${}_x$Bi${}_{1-x}$)${}_2$X${}_4$ with X = Se,Te, including MnBi${}_2$Te${}_4$) septuple layers and topological insulator quintuple layers in arbitrary order. Our analysis makes use of a simplified model that retains only Dirac-cone degrees of freedom on both surfaces of each septuple or quintuple layer. We demonstrate the model's applicability and estimate its parameters by comparing with {\it ab initio } density-functional-theory(DFT) calculations. We then employ the coupled Dirac cone model to provide an explanation for the dependence of thin-film properties, particularly the presence or absence of the quantum anomalous Hall effect, on film thickness, magnetic configuration, and stacking arrangement, and to comment on the design of Weyl superlattices.

7+10 pages, 13 figures