The quantum Hall effect is usually observed when the two-dimensional electron gas is subjected to an external magnetic field, so that their quantum states form Landau levels. In this work we predict that a new phenomenon, the quantum anomalous Hall effect, can be realized in Hg1−yMnyTe quantum wells, without the external magnetic field and the associated Landau levels. This effect arises purely from the spin polarization of the Mn atoms, and the quantized Hall conductance is predicted for a range of quantum well thickness and the concentration of the Mn atoms. This effect enables dissipationless charge current in spintronics devices.
@article{arxiv.0802.2711,
title = {Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect in Hg$_{1-y}$Mn$_{y}$Te Quantum Wells},
author = {Chao-Xing Liu and Xiao-Liang Qi and Xi Dai and Zhong Fang and Shou-Cheng Zhang},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0802.2711},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
5 pages, 3 figures. For high resolution figures see final published version when available