10 May 2024 | Yu-Xuan Li, Yichen Liu, and Cheng-Cheng Liu
The paper proposes a method to create and manipulate higher-order topological states in a heterojunction consisting of a two-dimensional (2D) topological insulator and altern magnets. Altern magnets, which exhibit unique spin-polarization and null magnetization, are used to induce spin splitting in the topological insulator. By adjusting the direction of the Néel vector, the authors demonstrate that they can manipulate the position of topological corner states. First-principles calculations using bismuthene on MnF$_2$ as an example show the feasibility of creating and tuning these states. The study also discusses the experimental implementation and detection of tunable topological corner states, as well as the potential for non-Abelian braiding of Dirac fermions. The work opens new possibilities for realizing non-Abelian statistics and topological quantum computing.The paper proposes a method to create and manipulate higher-order topological states in a heterojunction consisting of a two-dimensional (2D) topological insulator and altern magnets. Altern magnets, which exhibit unique spin-polarization and null magnetization, are used to induce spin splitting in the topological insulator. By adjusting the direction of the Néel vector, the authors demonstrate that they can manipulate the position of topological corner states. First-principles calculations using bismuthene on MnF$_2$ as an example show the feasibility of creating and tuning these states. The study also discusses the experimental implementation and detection of tunable topological corner states, as well as the potential for non-Abelian braiding of Dirac fermions. The work opens new possibilities for realizing non-Abelian statistics and topological quantum computing.