| Recently, a new quantum state of matter called-topological insulator (TI) has been discovered. TIs are insulating in the bulk but possess intrinsically metallic surface/edge states, similar to these of graphene, where electrons behave as mass-less Dirac fermions and carry electrical as well as spin currents with extremely high mobility. Such peculiar surface/edge states, are expected to play a key role in realizing new high frequency devices. To reach such devices the project propose the research on innovative HgCdTe and GaSb/InAs structures overcoming two existing up today problems: i) having TI states preserved up to elevated temperatures (up to 300K) ii) allowing fast electrical switching (on/off) of TI states. The project aims to build by world-class leaders, the TEAM having strong international collaborations and performing basic/applied physics research on innovative TI structures in view of demonstration of innovative high frequency devices as well as terahertz radiation sensors. |
