Built-in electric field and its origin at the (111)R surface of topological insulators GeBi4Te7 and MnBi4Te7
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The topological insulator GeBi 4 Te 7 belongs to a family of compounds consisting of alternating quintuple and septuple layers (QLs and SLs), and its surface electronic structure is determined by whether the crystal terminates with a QL or SL layer block. Using spatially and momentum-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and STM/STS in the field emission resonance spectroscopy regime as well, we clearly revealed the charge redistribution between the QL and SL terminations, as evidenced by band bending. We attribute the charge redistribution to cation antisite defects in the SLs, which are electrically active and lead to an uncompensated surface charge. Our findings and the ability to manipulate the electronic properties of the surface have profound implications for the entire family of compounds, including the magnetic topological insulator Mn(Bi,Sb) 4 Te 7 .
Source: Communications Materials
Authors: Alexander S. Frolov, Alexander V. Fedorov, Vladimir V. Voroshnin, Denis V. Vyalikh, Anton I. Sergeev, Nadezhda V. Vladimirova, Matteo Amati, Luca Gregoratti, Dmitry A. Estyunin, Kirill A. Bokai, Roman R. Kozii, Sergey M. Aksenov, Maria A. Kirsanova, Vladimir A. Golyashov, Oleg E. Tereshchenko, Jaime Sánchez-Barriga, Vasily S. Stolyarov, Dmitry Yu. Usachov, Lada V. Yashina
Institutions: Lomonosov Moscow State University, Centre of Advanced Studies, Donostia International Physics Center, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Ikerbasque, Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., St Petersburg University, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Kola Science Centre, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Semiconductor Physics, IMDEA Nanoscience, National University of Science and Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,690
OpenAlex ID: W7165134871
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