18.04.2024A novel quantum state in an elemental solid

In collaboration with experimental researchers from Princeton University, the group of Titus Neupert unveiled a new topological state of an elemental arsenic. The work shows that arsenic is a “hybrid” topological material. As such, the 3D semiconductor has special conducting topological states on its surface, as well as a separate set of such states on the hinges of the crystal. Such states are envisioned to carry current at lowest dissipation in future electronic devices.

Based on the findings of this study, arsenic joins in a family of isostructural elements bismuth and antimony, which, respectively, support hinge and surface states only. The results are published in Nature 628, pages 527–533 (2024) (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07203-8).