Origin of the Electron–Phonon Interaction of Topological Semimetal Surfaces Measured with Helium Atom Scattering

He atom scattering has been demonstrated to be a sensitive probe of the electron–phonon interaction parameter λ at metal and metal-overlayer surfaces. Here it is shown that the theory linking λ to the thermal attenuation of atom scattering spectra (the Debye–Waller factor) can be applied to topologi...

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Published in:The journal of physical chemistry letters 2020-03, Vol.11 (5), p.1927-1933
Main Authors: Benedek, Giorgio, Miret-Artés, Salvador, Manson, J. R, Ruckhofer, Adrian, Ernst, Wolfgang E, Tamtögl, Anton
Format: Article
Language:English
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Letter
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Summary:He atom scattering has been demonstrated to be a sensitive probe of the electron–phonon interaction parameter λ at metal and metal-overlayer surfaces. Here it is shown that the theory linking λ to the thermal attenuation of atom scattering spectra (the Debye–Waller factor) can be applied to topological semimetal surfaces, such as the quasi-one-dimensional charge-density-wave system Bi(114) and the layered pnictogen chalcogenides. The electron−phonon coupling, as determined for several topological insulators belonging to the class of bismuth chalcogenides, suggests a dominant contribution of the surface quantum well states over the Dirac electrons in terms of λ.
ISSN:1948-7185
1948-7185
DOI:10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b03829