2012/07/31 by Dmitry K. Efimkin, D. K. Efimkin, Yu. E. Lozovik +2
Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Condensed Matter Physics #Quantum many-body systems #Topological Materials and Phenomena #cond-mat.mes-hall
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevb.86.115436
published as Phys. Rev. B 86, 115436 (2012) · 9 pages, 9 figures; figures 6, 7, 9 were improved and some references were added
arxiv created 2012/09/01 · openalex publication_date 2012/09/21 · arxiv updated 2013/07/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
We consider the pairing of massless Dirac electrons and holes located on opposite surfaces of thin films of ``strong'' three-dimensional topological insulators. Such pairing is predicted to give rise to a topological exciton condensate with unusual properties. We estimate the quantitatively achievable critical temperature of the pairing while taking into account the self-consistent screening of the Coulomb interaction, disorder, and hybridization of electron and hole states caused by tunneling through the film. The increase of the gap above the hybridization value when the temperature is lowered can be an observable signature of the pairing. System parameters required to observe the electron-hole pairing are discussed.