Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Over the past decades, two-dimensional crystals have attracted considerable interest as promising materials for electronic and optoelectronic applications. Among them, graphene analogs composed of heavy atoms occupy a particularly distinctive niche due to their enhanced spin-orbit interaction. Here, we present an epitaxial heterointerface formed by beta-bismuthene on Sb2Te3, a well-known three-dimensional topological insulator. Using scanning tunneling microscopy, we systematically investigated the effects of Bi coverage and substrate temperature on nucleation processes, island morphology, and atomic structure. In addition, substrate-induced defects were identified throughout the bismuthene lattice.
Source: Physical Review Materials
DOI: 10.1103/mm55-8939
Institutions: University of Rome Tor Vergata, Institute of Structure of Matter, Sapienza University of Rome, University of Calabria, Baku State University, University of the Basque Country, St Petersburg University, Material Physics Center, Donostia International Physics Center, Institute of Strength Physics and Materials Science
Language: English
Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: G1160158351, G218708918
OpenAlex ID: W7160856712