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Tuning a Schottky barrier in a photoexcited topological insulator with transient Dirac cone electron-hole asymmetry

Author

Listed:
  • M Hajlaoui

    (Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, CNRS-UMR 8502, Université Paris-Sud)

  • E Papalazarou

    (Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, CNRS-UMR 8502, Université Paris-Sud)

  • J Mauchain

    (Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, CNRS-UMR 8502, Université Paris-Sud)

  • L Perfetti

    (Laboratoire des Solides Irradiés, Ecole Polytechnique-CEA/DSM-CNRS UMR 7642)

  • A Taleb-Ibrahimi

    (UR1-CNRS/Synchrotron SOLEIL, Saint Aubin BP 48)

  • F Navarin

    (Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, CNRS-UMR 8502, Université Paris-Sud)

  • M Monteverde

    (Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, CNRS-UMR 8502, Université Paris-Sud)

  • P Auban-Senzier

    (Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, CNRS-UMR 8502, Université Paris-Sud)

  • C.R. Pasquier

    (Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, CNRS-UMR 8502, Université Paris-Sud)

  • N Moisan

    (Laboratoire d’Optique Appliquée, ENSTA ParisTech, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique)

  • D Boschetto

    (Laboratoire d’Optique Appliquée, ENSTA ParisTech, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique)

  • M Neupane

    (Princeton University)

  • M.Z. Hasan

    (Princeton University)

  • T Durakiewicz

    (Los Alamos National Laboratory)

  • Z Jiang

    (School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology)

  • Y Xu

    (Purdue University)

  • I Miotkowski

    (Purdue University)

  • Y.P. Chen

    (Purdue University)

  • S Jia

    (Princeton University)

  • H.W. Ji

    (Princeton University)

  • R.J. Cava

    (Princeton University)

  • M Marsi

    (Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, CNRS-UMR 8502, Université Paris-Sud)

Abstract

The advent of Dirac materials has made it possible to realize two-dimensional gases of relativistic fermions with unprecedented transport properties in condensed matter. Their photoconductive control with ultrafast light pulses is opening new perspectives for the transmission of current and information. Here we show that the interplay of surface and bulk transient carrier dynamics in a photoexcited topological insulator can control an essential parameter for photoconductivity—the balance between excess electrons and holes in the Dirac cone. This can result in a strongly out of equilibrium gas of hot relativistic fermions, characterized by a surprisingly long lifetime of more than 50 ps, and a simultaneous transient shift of chemical potential by as much as 100 meV. The unique properties of this transient Dirac cone make it possible to tune with ultrafast light pulses a relativistic nanoscale Schottky barrier, in a way that is impossible with conventional optoelectronic materials.

Suggested Citation

  • M Hajlaoui & E Papalazarou & J Mauchain & L Perfetti & A Taleb-Ibrahimi & F Navarin & M Monteverde & P Auban-Senzier & C.R. Pasquier & N Moisan & D Boschetto & M Neupane & M.Z. Hasan & T Durakiewicz &, 2014. "Tuning a Schottky barrier in a photoexcited topological insulator with transient Dirac cone electron-hole asymmetry," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-8, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms4003
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4003
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