Dissipationless layertronics in axion insulator MnBi2Te4

ABSTRACT Surface electrons in axion insulators are endowed with a topological layer degree of freedom followed by exotic transport phenomena, e.g., the layer Hall effect. Here, we propose that such a layer degree of freedom can be manipulated in a dissipationless way based on the antiferromagnetic $\rm {MnBi_2Te_4}$ with tailored domain structure. This makes $\rm {MnBi_2Te_4}$ a versatile platform to exploit the ‘layertronics’ to encode, process and store information. Importantly, the layer filter, layer valve and layer reverser devices can be achieved using the layer-locked chiral domain wall modes. The dissipationless nature of the domain wall modes makes the performance of the layertronic devices superior to those in spintronics and valleytronics. Specifically, the layer reverser, a layer version of the Datta–Das transistor, also fills up the blank in designing the valley reverser in valleytronics. Our work sheds light on constructing new generation electronic devices with high performance and low-energy consumption in the framework of layertronics.