Large inverted band gap in strained three-layer InAs/GaInSb quantum wells

Abstract

Quantum spin Hall insulators (QSHIs) based on HgTe and three-layer InAs/GaSb quantum wells (QWs) have comparable bulk band gaps of about 10-18 meV. The former, however, features a band gap vanishing with temperature, while the gap in InAs/GaSb QSHIs is rather temperature independent. Here, we report on the realization of a large inverted band gap in strained three-layer InAs/GaInSb QWs. By temperature-dependent magnetotransport measurements of gated Hall bar devices, we extract a gap as high as 45 meV. By combining local and nonlocal measurements, we detect edge conductivity at temperatures up to 40 K, possibly of topological origin, with equilibrium lengths of a few micrometers. Our results pave the way for the manipulation of topological edge states at high temperatures in QW heterostructures.