Electronic structure and magnetic effects in topological insulators and Bychkov-Rashba systems

Abstract

Spin-orbit interaction underlies many bulk and surface phenomena with intriguing potential applications. It plays especially important role in the surface electronic structure leading to massless states on a surface of many narrow gap semiconductors (topological insulators) and spin-split surface states on metals, semiconductors, and overlayers (Bychkov-Rashba type systems). Topological insulators exhibit robust Dirac-like surface states protected by time-reversal symmetry. Breaking time-reversal symmetry causes splitting of the topological surface state at the Dirac point thus making the surface insulating. Here we present and discuss recent results for complex topological insulators and new Rashba-systems. Magnetic impurities and magnetic proximity effects on electronic structure of these materials and splitting of the topological surface state are also discussed in detail.