Theory of multiple magnetic scattering for quasiparticles on a gapless topological insulator surface

preprint2012arXivOpen access

Abstract

We develop a general low-energy multiple-scattering partial-wave theory for gapless topological insulator (TI) surfaces in the presence of magnetic impurities. As applications, we discuss the differential cross section (CS) dΛ/dφdΛ/dφ, the total CS ΛtotΛ_{tot}, the Hall component of resistivity ΩΩ, and inverse momentum relaxation time ΓMΓ_{M} for single- and two-centered magnetic scattering. We show that differing from the nonmagnetic impurity scattering, s−s\mathtt{-}wave approximation is not advisable and convergent in the present case. The symmetry of CS is reduced and the backscattering occurs and becomes stronger with increasing the effective magnetic moment MM of single magnetic impurity. We show a non-zero perpendicular resistivity component ΩΩ, which may be useful for tuning the Hall voltage of the sample. Consistent with the analysis of dΛ/dφdΛ/dφ, by comparing ΓMΓ_{M} with ΛtotΛ_{tot}, we can determine different weights of backscattering and forward scattering. Similar to CS, ΩΩ and ΓMΓ_{M} also exhibit oscillating behavior for multiple magnetic scattering centers due to interference effect.

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