word
Topological Insulator
top-oh-LOJ-ih-kul in-SUL-ay-ter
/ˌtɒpəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ɪnˈsjuːleɪtər/Listen
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Syllable breakdown
topologicalinsulator
Dictionary meaning
A material that behaves as an insulator in its interior but whose surface states are conducting, protected by time-reversal symmetry and topology
History and origin
Mathematics of topology applied to condensed matter physics
Examples
- Bismuth selenide is a well-studied topological insulator.
- Topological insulators are promising for quantum computing because their surface states resist perturbation.
Common mispronunciations
Confusing with a regular insulator; the key feature is the conducting surface
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