Understanding Signatures of Emergent Magnetism in Topological Insulator/Ferrite Bilayers

Magnetic insulator-topological insulator heterostructures have been studied in search of chiral edge states via proximity induced magnetism in the topological insulator, but these states have been elusive. We identified MgAl_{0.5}Fe_{1.5}O_{4}/Bi_{2}Se_{3} bilayers for a possible magnetic proximity effect. Electrical transport and polarized neutron reflectometry suggest a proximity effect, but structural data indicate a disordered interface as the origin of the magnetic response. Our results provide a strategy via correlation of microstructure with magnetic data to confirm a magnetic proximity effect.