Magnetic energy gaps in topological materials unravelled

By Christoph Pelzl - Newly discovered properties of magnetically doped topological insulators could significantly accelerate the development of quantum computers. The transmission electron microscope ASTEM, located at Graz University of Technology, played a major role in the success of these discoveries. Topological insulators are materials that insulate on the inside but conduct electric current on their surfaces. These properties make this class of materials particularly interesting for the electronics, semiconductor and computer industries. The insertion of magnetic dopant elements gives these materials an extra flavour. At the edges of the material they conduct currents loss-free, enabling signal transport without heating. In combination with superconductors, these materials could define the computing units for novel quantum computers.