Zero-field plasmon splitter: Controlled interaction between quantum anomalous Hall edge states

Abstract

The quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect provides chiral edge states without the need for an external magnetic field, but unlike in conventional quantum Hall systems, their trajectories cannot be readily controlled electrostatically. Here, we engineer Coulomb interactions between two spatially separated, counter-propagating QAH edge channels using a floating metallic island. Microwave measurements reveal frequency-dependent redistribution of injected edge plasmons between two output channels, demonstrating interaction-induced hybridization of the collective modes. A long-range interaction model quantitatively reproduces the response and reveals a very low plasmon velocity in the coupling region, strongly reduced by electrostatic screening. Our results establish engineered Coulomb coupling as a route to control collective excitations in QAH edge states and provide a building block for chiral plasmonic circuits and electron quantum optics in magnetic topological insulators.