Bahramy, M. S., King, P. D. C, de la Torre, A., Chang, J., Shi, M., Patthey, L., Balakrishnan, Geetha, Hofmann, Ph., Arita, R., Nagaosa, N. and Baumberger, F. (2012) Emergent quantum confinement at topological insulator surfaces. Nature Communications, Vol.3 . Article no. 1159. doi:10.1038/ncomms2162

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Abstract

Bismuth-chalchogenides are model examples of three-dimensional topological insulators. Their ideal bulk-truncated surface hosts a single spin-helical surface state, which is the simplest possible surface electronic structure allowed by their non-trivial Z2 topology. However, real surfaces of such compounds, even if kept in ultra-high vacuum, rapidly develop a much more complex electronic structure whose origin and properties have proved controversial. Here we demonstrate that a conceptually simple model, implementing a semiconductor-like band bending in a parameter-free tight-binding supercell calculation, can quantitatively explain the entire measured hierarchy of electronic states. In combination with circular dichroism in angle-resolved photoemission experiments, we further uncover a rich three-dimensional spin texture of this surface electronic system, resulting from the non-trivial topology of the bulk band structure. Moreover, our study sheds new light on the surface-bulk connectivity in topological insulators, and reveals how this is modified by quantum confinement.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Physics
Journal or Publication Title:	Nature Communications
Publisher:	Nature Publishing Group
ISSN:	2041-1723
Official Date:	2012
Dates:	Date Event 2012 Published
Volume:	Vol.3
Page Range:	Article no. 1159
DOI:	10.1038/ncomms2162
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published

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