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Free-electron creation at the 60° twin boundary in Bi2Te3

Author

Listed:
  • Kwang-Chon Kim

    (Center for Electronic Materials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University)

  • Joohwi Lee

    (Kyoto University)

  • Byung Kyu Kim

    (High Temperature Energy Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Won Young Choi

    (KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University
    Center for Spintronics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Hye Jung Chang

    (Advanced Analysis Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Korea University of Science and Technology)

  • Sung Ok Won

    (Advanced Analysis Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Beomjin Kwon

    (Center for Electronic Materials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Seong Keun Kim

    (Center for Electronic Materials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Dow-Bin Hyun

    (Center for Electronic Materials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Hyun Jae Kim

    (School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University)

  • Hyun Cheol Koo

    (KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University
    Center for Spintronics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Jung-Hae Choi

    (Center for Electronic Materials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Dong-Ik Kim

    (High Temperature Energy Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Jin-Sang Kim

    (Center for Electronic Materials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Seung-Hyub Baek

    (Center for Electronic Materials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Korea University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

Interfaces, such as grain boundaries in a solid material, are excellent regions to explore novel properties that emerge as the result of local symmetry-breaking. For instance, at the interface of a layered-chalcogenide material, the potential reconfiguration of the atoms at the boundaries can lead to a significant modification of the electronic properties because of their complex atomic bonding structure. Here, we report the experimental observation of an electron source at 60° twin boundaries in Bi2Te3, a representative layered-chalcogenide material. First-principles calculations reveal that the modification of the interatomic distance at the 60° twin boundary to accommodate structural misfits can alter the electronic structure of Bi2Te3. The change in the electronic structure generates occupied states within the original bandgap in a favourable condition to create carriers and enlarges the density-of-states near the conduction band minimum. The present work provides insight into the various transport behaviours of thermoelectrics and topological insulators.

Suggested Citation

  • Kwang-Chon Kim & Joohwi Lee & Byung Kyu Kim & Won Young Choi & Hye Jung Chang & Sung Ok Won & Beomjin Kwon & Seong Keun Kim & Dow-Bin Hyun & Hyun Jae Kim & Hyun Cheol Koo & Jung-Hae Choi & Dong-Ik Kim, 2016. "Free-electron creation at the 60° twin boundary in Bi2Te3," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-6, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms12449
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12449
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