LAUSR

Abstract We consider scattering of electrons by magnetic regions in topological insulators characterized by spin-momentum locking. By using perturbation theory and partial wave summation approaches, we analyze the role of the system parameters in different scattering regimes. We demonstrate that the specific features of spin-momentum locking lead to strong differences in the scattering cross-section compared to the conventional spin-independent scattering of electrons in semiconductors. The features include, e.g., the scattering anisotropy and the unusual energy dependence of the scattering cross-section. These results can be useful for the understanding of the kinetic effects in topological insulators with magnetic disorder and for the design of magnetization patterns for control of coupled spin and charge density dynamics.