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Unconventional transformation of spin Dirac phase across a topological quantum phase transition

Author

Listed:
  • Su-Yang Xu

    (Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University)

  • Madhab Neupane

    (Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University)

  • Ilya Belopolski

    (Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University)

  • Chang Liu

    (Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University)

  • Nasser Alidoust

    (Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University)

  • Guang Bian

    (Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University)

  • Shuang Jia

    (Princeton University
    International Center for Quantum Materials, Peking University)

  • Gabriel Landolt

    (Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute
    Physik-Institute, Universitat Zurich-Irchel)

  • Batosz Slomski

    (Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute
    Physik-Institute, Universitat Zurich-Irchel)

  • J. Hugo Dil

    (Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute
    Physik-Institute, Universitat Zurich-Irchel
    Institute of Condensed Matter Physics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédeérale de Lausanne)

  • Pavel P. Shibayev

    (Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University)

  • Susmita Basak

    (Northeastern University)

  • Tay-Rong Chang

    (National Tsing Hua University)

  • Horng-Tay Jeng

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

  • Robert J. Cava

    (Princeton University)

  • Hsin Lin

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Arun Bansil

    (Northeastern University)

  • M. Zahid Hasan

    (Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University
    Princeton Center for Complex Materials, Princeton Institute for Science and Technology of Materials, Princeton University)

Abstract

The topology of a topological material can be encoded in its surface states. These surface states can only be removed by a bulk topological quantum phase transition into a trivial phase. Here we use photoemission spectroscopy to image the formation of protected surface states in a topological insulator as we chemically tune the system through a topological transition. Surprisingly, we discover an exotic spin-momentum locked, gapped surface state in the trivial phase that shares many important properties with the actual topological surface state in anticipation of the change of topology. Using a spin-resolved measurement, we show that apart from a surface bandgap these states develop spin textures similar to the topological surface states well before the transition. Our results offer a general paradigm for understanding how surface states in topological phases arise from a quantum phase transition and are suggestive for the future realization of Weyl arcs, condensed matter supersymmetry and other fascinating phenomena in the vicinity of a quantum criticality.

Suggested Citation

  • Su-Yang Xu & Madhab Neupane & Ilya Belopolski & Chang Liu & Nasser Alidoust & Guang Bian & Shuang Jia & Gabriel Landolt & Batosz Slomski & J. Hugo Dil & Pavel P. Shibayev & Susmita Basak & Tay-Rong Ch, 2015. "Unconventional transformation of spin Dirac phase across a topological quantum phase transition," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-8, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms7870
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7870
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