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Observation of quantum-tunnelling-modulated spin texture in ultrathin topological insulator Bi2Se3 films

Author

Listed:
  • Madhab Neupane

    (Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University)

  • Anthony Richardella

    (The Pennsylvania State University, University Park)

  • Jaime Sánchez-Barriga

    (Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Elektronenspeicherring BESSY II)

  • SuYang Xu

    (Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University)

  • Nasser Alidoust

    (Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University)

  • Ilya Belopolski

    (Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University)

  • Chang Liu

    (Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University)

  • Guang Bian

    (Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University)

  • Duming Zhang

    (The Pennsylvania State University, University Park)

  • Dmitry Marchenko

    (Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Elektronenspeicherring BESSY II
    Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie, Freie Universität Berlin)

  • Andrei Varykhalov

    (Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Elektronenspeicherring BESSY II)

  • Oliver Rader

    (Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Elektronenspeicherring BESSY II)

  • Mats Leandersson

    (MAX-lab)

  • Thiagarajan Balasubramanian

    (MAX-lab)

  • Tay-Rong Chang

    (National Tsing Hua University)

  • Horng-Tay Jeng

    (National Tsing Hua University
    Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica)

  • Susmita Basak

    (Northeastern University)

  • Hsin Lin

    (Graphene Research Centre, National University of)

  • Arun Bansil

    (Northeastern University)

  • Nitin Samarth

    (The Pennsylvania State University, University Park)

  • M. Zahid Hasan

    (Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University
    Princeton Center for Complex Materials, Princeton University)

Abstract

Understanding the spin-texture behaviour of boundary modes in ultrathin topological insulator films is critically essential for the design and fabrication of functional nanodevices. Here, by using spin-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with p-polarized light in topological insulator Bi2Se3 thin films, we report tunnelling-dependent evolution of spin configuration in topological insulator thin films across the metal-to-insulator transition. We report a systematic binding energy- and wavevector-dependent spin polarization for the topological surface electrons in the ultrathin gapped-Dirac-cone limit. The polarization decreases significantly with enhanced tunnelling realized systematically in thin insulating films, whereas magnitude of the polarization saturates to the bulk limit faster at larger wavevectors in thicker metallic films. We present a theoretical model that captures this delicate relationship between quantum tunnelling and Fermi surface spin polarization. Our high-resolution spin-based spectroscopic results suggest that the polarization current can be tuned to zero in thin insulating films forming the basis for a future spin-switch nanodevice.

Suggested Citation

  • Madhab Neupane & Anthony Richardella & Jaime Sánchez-Barriga & SuYang Xu & Nasser Alidoust & Ilya Belopolski & Chang Liu & Guang Bian & Duming Zhang & Dmitry Marchenko & Andrei Varykhalov & Oliver Rad, 2014. "Observation of quantum-tunnelling-modulated spin texture in ultrathin topological insulator Bi2Se3 films," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-7, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms4841
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4841
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