We construct a minimal four-band model for the two-dimensional (2D) topological insulators and quantum anomalous Hall insulators based on the px-and py-orbital bands in the honeycomb lattice. The multiorbital structure allows the atomic spin-orbit coupling which lifts the degeneracy between two sets of on-site Kramers doublets jz = ± 3 2 and jz = ± 1 2 . Because of the orbital angular momentum structure of Bloch-wave states at Γ and K(K ) points, topological gaps are equal to the atomic spin-orbit coupling strengths, which are much larger than those based on the mechanism of the s-p band inversion. In the weak and intermediate regime of spin-orbit coupling strength, topological gaps are the global gap. The energy spectra and eigen wave functions are solved analytically based on Clifford algebra. The competition among spin-orbit coupling λ, sublattice asymmetry m and the Néel exchange field n results in band crossings at Γ and K(K ) points, which leads to various topological band structure transitions. The quantum anomalous Hall state is reached under the condition that three gap parameters λ, m, and n satisfy the triangle inequality. Flat bands also naturally arise which allow a local construction of eigenstates. The above mechanism is related to several classes of solid state semiconducting materials.

Conventional dielectric metasurfaces achieve their properties through geometrical tuning and consequently are static. Although some unique properties are demonstrated, the usefulness for realistic applications is thus inherently limited. Here, control of the resonant eigenmodes supported by Huygens' metasurface (HMS) absorbers through optical excitation is proposed and demonstrated. An intensity transmission modulation depth of 99.93% is demonstrated at 1.03 THz, with an associated phase change of greater than π/2 rad. Coupled mode theory and S-parameter simulations are used to elucidate the mechanism underlying the dynamics of the metasurface and it is found that the tuning is primarily governed by modification of the magnetic dipole-like odd eigenmode, which both lifts the degeneracy, and eliminates critical coupling. The dynamic HMS demonstrates wide tunability and versatility which is not limited to the spectral range demonstrated, offering a new path for reconfigurable metasurface applications.

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Topological insulators are bulk insulators that possess robust chiral conducting states along their interfaces with normal insulators. A tremendous research effort has recently been devoted to topological insulator-based heterostructures, in which conventional proximity effects give rise to a series of exotic physical phenomena. Here we establish the potential existence of topological proximity effects at the interface between a topological insulator and a normal insulator, using graphene-based heterostructures as prototypical systems. Unlike conventional proximity effects in topological insulator based heterostructures, which refer to various phase transitions associated with the symmetry breaking of specific local order parameters, topological proximity effects describe the rich variety of quantum phase transitions associated with the global properties of the system measured by the location of the topological edge states. Specifically, we show that the location of the topological edge states exhibits a versatile tunability as a function of the interface orientation, the strength of the interface tunnel coupling between a topological graphene nanoribbon and a normal graphene nanoribbon, the spin-orbit coupling strength in the normal graphene nanoribbon, and the width of the system. For zigzag and bearded graphene nanoribbons, the topological edge states can be tuned to be either at the interface or outer edge of the normal ribbon. For armchair graphene nanoribbons, the potential location of the topological edge state can be further shifted to the edge of or within the normal ribbon, to the interface, or diving into the topological graphene nanoribbon. We further show that the topological phase diagram established for the prototypical graphene heterostructures can also explain the intriguing quantum phase transition reported recently in other topological-insulator heterostructures. We also discuss potential experimental realizations of the predicted topological proximity effects, which may pave the way for integrating the salient functionality of topological insulators and graphene in future device applications.

We use intense terahertz pulses to excite the resonant mode (0.6THz) of a micro-fabricated dipole antenna with a vacuum gap. The dipole antenna structure enhances the peak amplitude of the in-gap THz electric field by a factor of ~170. Above an in-gap E-field threshold amplitude of ~10 MVcm -1 , THz-induced field electron emission is observed (TIFEE) as indicated by the field-induced electric current across the dipole antenna gap. Field emission occurs within a fraction of the driving THz period. Our analysis of the current (I) and incident electric field (E) is in agreement with a Millikan-Lauritsen analysis where log (I) exhibits a linear dependence on 1/E. Numerical estimates indicate that the electrons are accelerated to a value of approximately one tenth of the speed of light.

Topological insulators (TIs) are bulk insulators that possess robust helical conducting states along their interfaces with conventional insulators. A tremendous research effort has recently been devoted to TI-based heterostructures, in which conventional proximity effects give rise to a series of exotic physical phenomena. This paper reviews our recent works on the potential existence of topological proximity effects at the interface between a topological insulator and a normal insulator or other topologically trivial systems. Using first-principles approaches, we have established the tunability of the vertical location of the topological helical state via intriguing dual-proximity effects. To further elucidate the control parameters of this effect, we have used the graphene-based heterostructures as prototypical systems to reveal a more complete phase diagram. On the application side of the topological helical states, we have presented a catalysis example, where the topological helical state plays an essential role in facilitating surface reactions by serving as an effective electron bath. These discoveries lay the foundation for accurate manipulation of the real space properties of the topological helical state in TI-based heterostructures and pave the way for realization of the salient functionality of topological insulators in future device applications.

Overseas migration of the small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén), occurs during the winter wheat harvest season in East Asia. Knowing the take-off time of emigrating L. striatellus is crucial for predicting such migrations with a simulation technique because winds, carriers of migratory insects, change continuously. Several methods were used in China and Japan from late May to early June 2012 and again in 2013 to identify the precise timing of take-off. These methods included: a tow net trap mounted to a pole at 10 m above the ground, a helicopter-towed net trap, and a canopy trap (which also had video monitoring) set over wheat plants. Laodelphax striatellus emigrated from wheat fields mainly in the early evening, before dusk. The insects also emigrated during the daytime but rarely emigrated at dawn, showing a pattern that is unlike the bimodal emigration at dusk and dawn of two other rice planthoppers, the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), and the white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Horváth). There was no significant difference in the temporal pattern of take-off behavior between females and males of Japanese L. striatellus populations.

Polyamines are nitrogenous compounds that alter the odour sensitivity of insects. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of polyamines on the expression levels of olfactory-related genes in male/female adult diamondback moths, Plutella xylostella. Results indicate that treatment with polyamines or α-difluoromethyl-ornithine (DFMO), a polyamine synthesis inhibitor, significantly affected the expression of various olfactory related genes. Although DFMO had no significant effect on the expression of PxylPBP1, it did significantly decrease the expression of other olfactory related genes (PxylGOBP1, PxylGOBP2 and PxylCSP1) in a gender-related fashion that correlated with the mating status of the adults. Polyamines [spermine (spm), putrescine (put) and spermidine (spd)] decreased the expression of PxylGOBP2 in naive male moths, but increased the expression of the same gene in virgin female moths. In addition, put treatment significantly increased the expression of PxylGOBP1 in virgin females and unmated male moths, but significantly decreased its expression in mated female and male moths. Based on these results we conclude that polyamines have a regulatory role in the expression of olfactory related genes and that these effects depend on the gene, gender and mating status of diamondback moths. These results indicate that polyamines affect the expression of the genes in insects that determine their olfactory ability.