Observation of Dirac Charge Density Waves in Bi2Te2Se

Adrian Ruckhofer, Giorgio Benedek, Martin Bremholm, Wolfgang E. Ernst, Anton Tamtögl*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

While parallel segments in the Fermi level contours, often found at the surfaces of topological insulators (TIs), would imply “strong” nesting conditions, the existence of charge-density waves (CDWs)—periodic modulations of the electron density—has not been verified up to now. Here, we report the observation of a CDW at the surface of the TI Bi (Formula presented.) Te (Formula presented.) Se(111), below ≈ (Formula presented.) K, by helium-atom scattering and, thus, experimental evidence for a CDW involving Dirac topological electrons. Deviations of the order parameter observed below (Formula presented.) K, and a low-temperature break of time reversal symmetry, suggest the onset of a spin-density wave with the same period as the CDW in the presence of a prominent electron-phonon interaction, originating from Rashba spin-orbit coupling.

Original languageEnglish
Article number476
JournalNanomaterials
Volume13
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2023

Keywords

  • atom-surface scattering
  • charge-density wave
  • electron-phonon coupling
  • spin-orbit coupling
  • topological insulator

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemical Engineering(all)
  • Materials Science(all)

Fields of Expertise

  • Advanced Materials Science

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