Theoretical Design of Topological Heteronanotubes

We propose and investigate the idea of topological heteronanotubes (THTs) for realizing a one-dimensional (1D) topological material platform that can pave the way to low-power carbon nanoelectronics at room temperature. We predict that the coaxial double-wall heteronanotube, a carbon nanotube (CNT) inside a boron nitride nanotube (BNNT), can act as a THT. Dissipationless topological conducting pathways on the THT are protected by a valley-dependent topological invariance that originates from local topological phase transitions of the CNT modulated by the CNT-BNNT interaction. Spiral THTs, where topological current flows spirally around the tube, function as nanoscale solenoids to induce remarkable magnetic fields due to the dense moire nanopatterning.