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Topological Phase Transitions in the Photonic Spin Hall Effect
1Center for Nonlinear Studies and Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, MS B258, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|October 21, 2017
Summary
Researchers explore topological phase transitions in the photonic spin Hall effect of 2D staggered materials. External fields and lasers enable on-demand control of light beam shifts, revealing insights into spintronics and valleytronics.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Optics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Two-dimensional (2D) staggered materials offer novel platforms for studying optical spin-orbit interactions.
- Semiconducting Dirac-like systems are crucial for exploring exotic electronic and optical phenomena.
- The photonic spin Hall effect (SHE) is a key phenomenon in light-matter interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate topological phase transitions in the photonic spin Hall effect within 2D staggered materials.
- To explore the potential for active manipulation of electromagnetic beam shifts.
- To establish a connection between photonic Hall shifts and the spin/valley properties of charge carriers.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of topological phase transitions in photonic systems.
- Modeling the influence of external static electric fields.
- Simulating the effect of high-frequency circularly polarized laser irradiation.
Main Results:
- Unveiled topological phase transitions in the photonic spin Hall effect of graphene-family materials.
- Demonstrated active, on-demand manipulation of electromagnetic beam shifts using external fields and lasers.
- Showcased the rich dependence of the photonic SHE on radiation degrees of freedom, material properties, and topological characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Photonic Hall shifts are sensitive to the spin and valley properties of charge carriers in 2D semiconductors.
- This sensitivity provides a novel pathway for investigating spintronics and valleytronics in these materials.
- The findings open new avenues for controlling and utilizing light-matter interactions in advanced 2D materials.
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