Abstract
It is shown theoretically that the strong coupling of electrons in a bulk gapless semiconductor (HgTe) to a circularly polarized high-frequency electromagnetic field induces topological states on the surface of the semiconductor. Their branches lie near the center of the Brillouin zone and have the Dirac dispersion. Thus, the light-induced topological phase transition in the semiconductor appears. The structure of the found surface states is studied both analytically and numerically in the broad range of their parameters.
Highlights
The achievements in the laser and microwave techniques have made possible the optical control of condensed matter structures with a high-frequency electromagnetic field, which is based on the Floquet theory of periodically driven quantum systems (Floquet engineering)
We present the theory of optically induced topological electronic states on the surface of bulk gapless semiconductor
3α/4γ2 − ∆/4γ2, where γ2 is the Luttinger parameter of the semiconductor band structure, α is the band parameter corresponding to the Hamiltonian terms linear in k, and ∆ = 2γ2(eE/ ̄hω)2 is the field-induced gap between the conduction and valence bands in the Brillouin zone center
Summary
The achievements in the laser and microwave techniques have made possible the optical control of condensed matter structures with a high-frequency electromagnetic field, which is based on the Floquet theory of periodically driven quantum systems (Floquet engineering). It is shown theoretically that the strong coupling of electrons in a bulk gapless semiconductor (HgTe) to a circularly polarized high-frequency electromagnetic field induces topological states on the surface of the semiconductor. Among numerous low-dimensional electronic systems, electrons localized near boundaries of condensed matter structures (surface electronic states) bear a special role.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
