Towards dissipationless topotronics

Abstract

Many aspects of topological physics offer a promising paradigm for the development of dissipationless electronic and quantum computing devices. Topological materials exhibit quantized transport and unidirectional edge states, which are inherently robust against backscattering and were thus previously assumed to be dissipationless. However, recent advancements in nanoscale thermal imaging have uncovered localized heat generation in these materials, highlighting an urgent need to reassess energy dissipation issues in topological systems. In this Perspective, we review recent progress in understanding energy dissipation in topological systems, including experimental observations enabled by pioneering thermal imaging techniques and theoretically proposed mechanisms. Central to this discussion is the recognition that energy dissipation arises from the evolution of carriers' energy distribution, independent of quantized electrical signatures. We discuss emerging criteria to identify dissipationless topological devices, providing guidance for the design of next-generation topotronics. Finally, we outline future directions, including the exploration of additional degrees of freedom, superconducting regimes, and non-Abelian operations, as well as the advancement of measurement techniques and scalable manufacturing processes, and especially emphasizing the importance of experimental verification of theoretical mechanisms.