Three-dimensional quantum anomalous Hall effect in ferromagnetic insulators

作     者：Y. J. Jin R. Wang B. W. Xia B. B. Zheng H. Xu 

作者机构：Department of Physics & Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen 518055 People's Republic of China Institute for Structure and Function & Department of Physics Chongqing University Chongqing 400044 People's Republic of China 

出 版 物：《Physical Review B》 (Phys. Rev. B)

年 卷 期：2018年第98卷第8期

页      面：081101(R)-081101(R)页

核心收录：

基　　金：National Natural Science Foundation of China, NSFC, (11304403, 11334004, 11674148) Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, (106112017CDJXY300005) National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, (2017B030306008) 

主　　题：Ferromagnetism Quantum anomalous Hall effect Magnetic insulators 

摘      要：The quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) hosts the dissipationless chiral edge states associated with the nonzero Chern number, providing potentially significant applications in future spintronics. The QAHE usually occurs in a two-dimensional system with time-reversal symmetry breaking. In this Rapid Communication, we propose that the QAHE can exist in three-dimensional (3D) ferromagnetic insulators. By imposing inversion symmetry, we develop the topological constraints dictating the appearance of a 3D QAHE based on a parity analysis at the time-reversal invariant points in reciprocal space. Moreover, using first-principles calculations, we identify that 3D QAHE can be realized in a family of intrinsic ferromagnetic insulating oxides, including layered and nonlayered compounds that share a centrosymmetric structure with space group R3¯m (No. 166). The Hall conductivity is quantized to be −3e2hc with the lattice constant c along the c axis. The chiral surface sheet states are clearly visible and uniquely distributed on the surfaces that are parallel to the magnetic moment. Our findings open a promising pathway to realize the QAHE in 3D ferromagnetic insulators.