Engineering magnetic topological insulators in Eu${}_5{M}_2{X}_6$ Zintls

Abstract

Magnetic topological insulator provide a prominent material platform for quantum anomalous Hall physics and axion electrodynamics. However, the lack of material realizations with cleanly gapped surfaces hinders technological utilization of these exotic quantum phenomena. Here, using the Zintl concept and the properties of non-symmorphic space groups, we computationally engineer magnetic topological insulators. Specifically, we explore Eu${}_5{M}_2{X}_6$ ($M$=metal, $X$=pnictide) Zintl compounds and find that Eu${}_5$Ga${}_2$Sb${}_6$, Eu${}_5$Tl${}_2$Sb${}_6$ and Eu${}_5$In${}_2$Bi${}_6$ form stable structures with non-trivial ${\mathbb{Z}}_2$ indices. We also show that epitaxial and uniaxial strain can be used to control the ${\mathbb{Z}}_2$ index and the bulk energy gap. Finally, we discuss experimental progress towards the synthesis of the proposed candidates and provide insights that can be used in the search for robust magnetic topological insulators in Zintl compounds.

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Cited by in corpus (8)

• Intrinsic Magnetic Topological Materials
• Anisotropic magnetism and electronic structure of trigonal EuAl${}_2$Ge${}_2$ single crystals
• Colossal negative magnetoresistance in the complex charge density wave regime of an antiferromagnetic Dirac semimetal
• Pressure-induced Superconductivity in Zintl Topological Insulator SrIn2As2
• Hybrid-order topology in unconventional magnets of Eu-based Zintl compounds with surface-dependent quantum geometry
• Non-collinear 2k antiferromagnetism in the Zintl semiconductor Eu${}_5$In${}_2$Sb${}_6$
• Surface and electronic structure at atomic length scales of the non-symmorphic antiferromagnet Eu${}_5$In${}_2$Sb${}_6$
• Topological properties of domain walls in antiferromagnetic topological insulators