88 research outputs found
Bulk-boundary correspondence in three dimensional topological insulators
We discuss the relation between bulk topological invariants and the spectrum
of surface states in three dimensional non-interacting topological insulators.
By studying particular models, and considering general boundary conditions for
the electron wavefunction on the crystal surface, we demonstrate that using
experimental techniques that probe surface states, only strong topological and
trivial insulating phases can be distinguished; the latter state being
equivalent to a weak topological insulator. In a strong topological insulator,
only the {\it parity} of the number of surface states, but not the number
itself, is robust against time-reversal invariant boundary perturbations. Our
results suggest a \z definition of the bulk-boundary correspondence,
compatible with the \z classification of topological insulators.Comment: TeXLive (Unix), revtex4-1, 7 pages, 3 figure
First-principles envelope-function theory for lattice-matched semiconductor heterostructures
In this paper a multi-band envelope-function Hamiltonian for lattice-matched
semiconductor heterostructures is derived from first-principles norm-conserving
pseudopotentials. The theory is applicable to isovalent or heterovalent
heterostructures with macroscopically neutral interfaces and no spontaneous
bulk polarization. The key assumption -- proved in earlier numerical studies --
is that the heterostructure can be treated as a weak perturbation with respect
to some periodic reference crystal, with the nonlinear response small in
comparison to the linear response. Quadratic response theory is then used in
conjunction with k.p perturbation theory to develop a multi-band effective-mass
Hamiltonian (for slowly varying envelope functions) in which all interface
band-mixing effects are determined by the linear response. To within terms of
the same order as the position dependence of the effective mass, the quadratic
response contributes only a bulk band offset term and an interface dipole term,
both of which are diagonal in the effective-mass Hamiltonian. Long-range
multipole Coulomb fields arise in quantum wires or dots, but have no
qualitative effect in two-dimensional systems beyond a dipole contribution to
the band offsets.Comment: 25 pages, no figures, RevTeX4; v3: final published versio
Reflection of light and heavy holes from a linear potential barrier
In this paper we study reflection of holes in direct-band semiconductors from
the linear potential barrier. It is shown that light-heavy hole transformation
matrix is universal. It depends only on a dimensionless product of the light
hole longitudinal momentum and the characteristic length determined by the
slope of the potential and doesn't depend on the ratio of light and heavy hole
masses, provided this ratio is small. It is shown that the transformation
coefficient goes to zero both in the limit of small and large longitudinal
momenta, however the phase of a reflected hole is different in these limits. An
approximate analytical expression for the light-heavy hole transformation
coefficient is found.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figure
Tunable unconventional Kondo effect on topological insulator surfaces
We study Kondo physics of a spin-12 impurity in electronic matter with strong spin-orbit interaction, which can be realized by depositing magnetic adatoms on the surface of a three-dimensional topological insulator. We show that magnetic properties of topological surface states and the very existence of Kondo screening strongly depend on details of the bulk material, and specifics of surface preparation encoded in time-reversal preserving boundary conditions for electronic wavefunctions. When this tunable Kondo effect occurs, the impurity spin is screened by purely orbital motion of surface electrons. This mechanism gives rise to a transverse magnetic response of the surface metal, and to spin textures that can be used to experimentally probe signatures of a Kondo resonance. Our predictions are particularly relevant for STM measurements in PbTe-class crystalline topological insulators, but we also discuss implications for other classes of topological materials
Tunnelling Studies of Two-Dimensional States in Semiconductors with Inverted Band Structure: Spin-orbit Splitting, Resonant Broadening
The results of tunnelling studies of the energy spectrum of two-dimensional
(2D) states in a surface quantum well in a semiconductor with inverted band
structure are presented. The energy dependence of quasimomentum of the 2D
states over a wide energy range is obtained from the analysis of tunnelling
conductivity oscillations in a quantizing magnetic field. The spin-orbit
splitting of the energy spectrum of 2D states, due to inversion asymmetry of
the surface quantum well, and the broadening of 2D states at the energies, when
they are in resonance with the heavy hole valence band, are investigated in
structures with different strength of the surface quantum well. A quantitative
analysis is carried out within the framework of the Kane model of the energy
spectrum. The theoretical results are in good agreement with the tunnelling
spectroscopy data.Comment: 29 pages, RevTeX, submitted in Phys.Rev.B. Figures available on
request from [email protected]
Interface electronic states and boundary conditions for envelope functions
The envelope-function method with generalized boundary conditions is applied
to the description of localized and resonant interface states. A complete set
of phenomenological conditions which restrict the form of connection rules for
envelope functions is derived using the Hermiticity and symmetry requirements.
Empirical coefficients in the connection rules play role of material parameters
which characterize an internal structure of every particular heterointerface.
As an illustration we present the derivation of the most general connection
rules for the one-band effective mass and 4-band Kane models. The conditions
for the existence of Tamm-like localized interface states are established. It
is shown that a nontrivial form of the connection rules can also result in the
formation of resonant states. The most transparent manifestation of such states
is the resonant tunneling through a single-barrier heterostructure.Comment: RevTeX4, 11 pages, 5 eps figures, submitted to Phys.Rev.
Topics on modular Galois representations modulo prime powers
This article surveys modularity, level raising and level lowering questions for two-dimensional representations modulo prime powers of the absolute Galois group of the rational numbers. It contributes some new results and describes algorithms and a database of modular forms orbits and higher congruences
Phosphatidylserine Targets Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes to Professional Phagocytes In Vitro and In Vivo
Broad applications of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) dictate the necessity to better understand their health effects. Poor recognition of non-functionalized SWCNT by phagocytes is prohibitive towards controlling their biological action. We report that SWCNT coating with a phospholipid “eat-me” signal, phosphatidylserine (PS), makes them recognizable in vitro by different phagocytic cells - murine RAW264.7 macrophages, primary monocyte-derived human macrophages, dendritic cells, and rat brain microglia. Macrophage uptake of PS-coated nanotubes was suppressed by the PS-binding protein, Annexin V, and endocytosis inhibitors, and changed the pattern of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion. Loading of PS-coated SWCNT with pro-apoptotic cargo (cytochrome c) allowed for the targeted killing of RAW264.7 macrophages. In vivo aspiration of PS-coated SWCNT stimulated their uptake by lung alveolar macrophages in mice. Thus, PS-coating can be utilized for targeted delivery of SWCNT with specified cargoes into professional phagocytes, hence for therapeutic regulation of specific populations of immune-competent cells
Prospects for Creation of Cardioprotective and Antiarrhythmic Drugs Based on Opioid Receptor Agonists
It has now been demonstrated that the μ, δ(1), δ(2), and κ(1) opioid receptor (OR) agonists represent the most promising group of opioids for the creation of drugs enhancing cardiac tolerance to the detrimental effects of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Opioids are able to prevent necrosis and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes during I/R and improve cardiac contractility in the reperfusion period. The OR agonists exert an infarct‐reducing effect with prophylactic administration and prevent reperfusion‐induced cardiomyocyte death when ischemic injury of heart has already occurred; that is, opioids can mimic preconditioning and postconditioning phenomena. Furthermore, opioids are also effective in preventing ischemia‐induced arrhythmias
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