Speaker
Dr
Jens Bardarson
(Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Germany)
Description
Abstract: Topological insulators are a state of matter that is
protected by time reversal symmetry. In 3D, it has an
insulating bulk but a conducting surface which low energy
electronic properties are well described by Dirac fermions. In
this talk I will discuss what are the characteristic properties
of this material when the surface is curved, such as in a
cylindrical or rectangular nanowire. In particular, I focus on
how one can observe these features in a transport
experiment. I will then discuss what changes ones these
wires are interfaced with superconductors. In the talk, I will
focus on then fundamental quantum aspects of these
materials, namely, the role of time reversal symmetry in
quantum mechanics and Kramers degeneracy; geometric
phases such as the Berry phase and its interplay with
Aharonov-Bohm phases; and finally, possibilities of creating
and observing Majorana modes in these systems.
