English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Global: Zendy Plus annual

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Global: Zendy Plus monthly

Global: Zendy Tools annual

Global: Zendy Tools monthly

Global: Zendy Free Plan

The scientific interest in two-dimensional topological insulators (2D TIs) iscurrently shifting from a more fundamental perspective to the exploration anddesign of novel functionalities. Key concepts for the use of 2D TIs inspintronics are based on the topological protection and spin-momentum lockingof their helical edge states. In this study we present experimental evidencethat topological protection can be (partially) lifted by pairwise coupling of2D TI edges in close proximity. Using direct wave function mapping via scanningtunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) we compare isolated and coupledtopological edges in the 2D TI bismuthene. The latter situation is realized bynatural lattice line defects and reveals distinct quasi-particle interference(QPI) patterns, identified as electronic Fabry-P\'erot resonator modes. Incontrast, free edges show no sign of any single-particle backscattering. Theseresults pave the way for novel device concepts based on active control oftopological protection through inter-edge hybridization for, e.g., electronicFabry-P\'erot interferometry.

Lifting topological protection in a quantum spin Hall insulator by edge coupling