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Topological states on the gold surface

Author

Listed:
  • Binghai Yan

    (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids
    Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems
    School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University)

  • Benjamin Stadtmüller

    (University of Kaiserslautern)

  • Norman Haag

    (University of Kaiserslautern)

  • Sebastian Jakobs

    (University of Kaiserslautern)

  • Johannes Seidel

    (University of Kaiserslautern)

  • Dominik Jungkenn

    (University of Kaiserslautern)

  • Stefan Mathias

    (I. Physikalisches Institut, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen)

  • Mirko Cinchetti

    (University of Kaiserslautern)

  • Martin Aeschlimann

    (University of Kaiserslautern)

  • Claudia Felser

    (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids)

Abstract

Gold surfaces host special electronic states that have been understood as a prototype of Shockley surface states. These surface states are commonly employed to benchmark the capability of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and scanning tunnelling spectroscopy. Here we show that these Shockley surface states can be reinterpreted as topologically derived surface states (TDSSs) of a topological insulator (TI), a recently discovered quantum state. Based on band structure calculations, the Z2-type invariants of gold can be well-defined to characterize a TI. Further, our ARPES measurement validates TDSSs by detecting the dispersion of unoccupied surface states. The same TDSSs are also recognized on surfaces of other well-known noble metals (for example, silver, copper, platinum and palladium), which shines a new light on these long-known surface states.

Suggested Citation

  • Binghai Yan & Benjamin Stadtmüller & Norman Haag & Sebastian Jakobs & Johannes Seidel & Dominik Jungkenn & Stefan Mathias & Mirko Cinchetti & Martin Aeschlimann & Claudia Felser, 2015. "Topological states on the gold surface," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms10167
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10167
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