Tunable band inversion in half-Heusler topological LuAuSn/LuPtBi superlattices

Abstract

A heterostructure formed of topological and nontopological half-Heusler compounds provides a means to tune band inversion. In this work, we study the stabilities of [111] and [100] LuPtBi/LuAuSn half-Heusler superlattices. Since the [111] superlattice is more stable than the [100] one, we explore the band inversion in the [111] superlattice. By increasing the number of LuPtBi layers, the energy gap can be tuned from 0.63 to %1.50 eV, where the negative value indicates band inversion. The underlying mechanism involves band alignment, internal electric field, and quantum confinement. Our study offers an efficient means to obtain the desired band inversion in half-Heusler heterostructures.

First principle design of new thermoelectrics from TiNiSn based pentanary alloys based on 18 valence electron rule

“…The half metallic ferromagnet shows semiconducting behavior for electrons of one spin orientation while metallic for electrons with the opposite spin. The emerging new physical properties such as thermoelectricity [75][76][77][78] , superconductivity [79][80][81][82][83] , magnetic ordering 84,85 and topological transitions [86][87][88][89] of HH alloys have attracted more attention.…”

Tuning the topological surface states in Sb2Te3/CrSb heterostructures by interface spacing

“…© 2019 The Japan Society of Applied Physics Supplementary material for this article is available online A three-dimensional topological insulator (TI) has not only a bulk energy gap but also a metallic surface state that is robust and dissipationless from the timereversal symmetry. [1][2][3][4][5] If the time-reversal symmetry is broken by magnetic doping, the metallic surface state could be gapped. This provides an opportunity to investigate the topological magnetoelectric effect and anomalous Hall effect (AHE).…”