Topologization of β-antimonene on Bi2Se3 via proximity effects

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 10; no. 1; p. 14619
• Main Authors: Holtgrewe, K., Mahatha, S. K., Sheverdyaeva, P. M., Moras, P., Flammini, R., Colonna, S., Ronci, F., Papagno, M., Barla, A., Petaccia, L., Aliev, Z. S., Babanly, M. B., Chulkov, E. V., Sanna, S., Hogan, C., Carbone, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 03.09.2020; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 639/301/119/995; 639/766/119/2792/4128; 639/766/119/544; Alzheimer's disease; Cognition; Cognitive ability; Differential diagnosis; Humanities and Social Sciences; Information processing; multidisciplinary; Processing speed; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Vascular diseases
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71624-4

Topological surface states usually emerge at the boundary between a topological and a conventional insulator. Their precise physical character and spatial localization depend on the complex interplay between the chemical, structural and electronic properties of the two insulators in contact. Using a lattice-matched heterointerface of single and double bilayers of β-antimonene and bismuth selenide, we perform a comprehensive experimental and theoretical study of the chiral surface states by means of microscopy and spectroscopic measurements complemented by first-principles calculations. We demonstrate that, although β-antimonene is a trivial insulator in its free-standing form, it inherits the unique symmetry-protected spin texture from the substrate via a proximity effect that induces outward migration of the topological state. This “topologization” of β-antimonene is found to be driven by the hybridization of the bands from either side of the interface.