Quantum corrections to the magnetoconductivity of surface states in three-dimensional topological insulators

The interplay between quantum interference, electron-electron interaction (EEI), and disorder is one of the central themes of condensed matter physics. Such interplay can cause high-order magnetoconductance (MC) corrections in semiconductors with weak spin-orbit coupling (SOC). However, it remains unexplored how the magnetotransport properties are modified by the high-order quantum corrections in the electron systems of symplectic symmetry class, which include topological insulators (TIs), Weyl semimetals, graphene with negligible intervalley scattering, and semiconductors with strong SOC. Here, we extend the theory of quantum conductance corrections to two-dimensional (2D) electron systems with the symplectic symmetry, and study experimentally such physics with dual-gated TI devices in which the transport is dominated by highly tunable surface states. We find that the MC can be enhanced significantly by the second-order interference and the EEI effects, in contrast to the suppression of MC for the systems with orthogonal symmetry. Our work reveals that detailed MC analysis can provide deep insights into the complex electronic processes in TIs, such as the screening and dephasing effects of localized charge puddles, as well as the related particle-hole asymmetry. The authors extend the theory of quantum conductance corrections to 2D electron systems with the symplectic symmetry, such as topological-insulator surface states. They find that magnetoconductance can be enhanced significantly by second-order interference and electron-electron interaction effects.

Automated summary

The study combines quantum interference, electron-electron interaction (EEI), and disorder to investigate the magnetotransport properties of topological insulators. It is found that magnetoconductance can be significantly enhanced by second-order interference and EEI effects, in contrast to systems with orthogonal symmetry. This study reveals important insights into the complex electronic processes in topological insulators through magnetoconductance analysis.