Edge absorption and circular photogalvanic effect in 2D topological insulator edges
M. V. Entin+*, L. I. Magarill+*
+Rzhanov Institute of Semiconductor Physics SB of the RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
*Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
Abstract
The electron absorption on the edge states and the edge photocurrent
of a 2D topological insulator (TI) are studied. We consider the optical
transitions within linear edge branches of the energy spectrum. The interaction
with impurities is taken into account. The circular polarization is found to
produce the edge photocurrent, the direction of which is determined by light
polarization and edge orientation.