Reply to: On the robustness of topological gap detection via transport

- Topological insulators are materials that conduct electricity on their surface but not through their interior, with potential applications in quantum computing. A key experimental signature is a "topological gap"—an energy range where current cannot flow through the bulk. - This Nature paper is a formal reply to a critique of earlier work that claimed to detect such a gap using transport (electrical current flow) measurements. - The debate centers on whether the observed electrical behavior actually proves a topological gap exists, or could be explained by trivial (non-topological) effects. The robustness of the detection method is under dispute. - The authors defend their original interpretation against the critique, arguing their transport data is still valid evidence for topological behavior. - This exchange matters because reliable detection methods are essential for developing topological materials for future electronics and quantum technologies; if the method is flawed, conclusions drawn from it may be unreliable.