Layer-by-layer entangled spin-orbital texture of the topological surface state in Bi2Se3

We study Bi2Se3 by polarization-dependent angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and density-functional theory slab calculations. We find that the surface state Dirac fermions are characterized by a layer-dependent entangled spin-orbital texture, which becomes apparent through quantum int...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:arXiv.org 2013-05
Main Authors: Z -H Zhu, Veenstra, C N, Levy, G, Ubaldini, A, Syers, P, Butch, N P, Paglione, J, Haverkort, M W, Elfimov, I S, Damascelli, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Density functional theory
Fermions
Incidence angle
Linear polarization
Photoelectric emission
Photoelectrons
Polarization (spin alignment)
Quantum interference effects
Surface layers
Texture
Topological insulators
Topology
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Summary:We study Bi2Se3 by polarization-dependent angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and density-functional theory slab calculations. We find that the surface state Dirac fermions are characterized by a layer-dependent entangled spin-orbital texture, which becomes apparent through quantum interference effects. This explains the discrepancy between the spin polarization from spin-resovled ARPES - ranging from 20 to 85% - and the 100% value assumed in phenomenological models. It also suggests a way to probe the intrinsic spin texture of topological insulators, and to continuously manipulate the spin polarization of photoelectrons and photocurrents all the way from 0 to +/-100% by an appropriate choice of photon energy, linear polarization, and angle of incidence.
ISSN:2331-8422
DOI:10.48550/arxiv.1212.4845