Weak antilocalization in HgTe quantum wells near a topological transition

The anomalous alternating magnetoresistivity in HgTe quantum wells with thicknesses of 5.8 and 8.3 nm, i.e., near the transition from the direct band spectrum to an inverted spectrum, has been revealed and analyzed. It has been shown that the revealed anomalous alternating magnetoresistivity in wells with an inverted spectrum is well described by the theory developed by S.V. Iordanskii et al. [JETP Lett. 60, 206 (1994)] and W. Knap et al. [Phys. Rev. B 53, 3912 (1996)]. A detailed comparison of the experimental data with the theory indicates the presence of only the cubic term in the spin splitting of the electronic spectrum. The applicability conditions of the mentioned theory are not satisfied in a well with a direct gap and, for this reason, such a certain conclusion is impossible. The results indicate the existence of a strong spin-orbit interaction in symmetric HgTe quantum wells near the topological transition.

Russian Foundation for Basic Research

Russian Foundation for Basic Research[09-02-00467]

Russian Foundation for Basic Research

Russian Foundation for Basic Research[08-02-00152]

Russian Foundation for Basic Research

Russian Foundation for Basic Research[09-02-12291-ofi-m]

Russian Academy of Sciences

Russian Academy of Sciences

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

FAPESP Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

CNPq Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (Brasil)