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Realization of a vertical topological p–n junction in epitaxial Sb2Te3/Bi2Te3 heterostructures

Author

Listed:
  • Markus Eschbach

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-6) and JARA-FIT)

  • Ewa Młyńczak

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-6) and JARA-FIT
    Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, AGH University of Science and Technology)

  • Jens Kellner

    (RWTH Aachen University, II Institute of Physics B and JARA-FIT)

  • Jörn Kampmeier

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-9) and JARA-FIT)

  • Martin Lanius

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-9) and JARA-FIT)

  • Elmar Neumann

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons)

  • Christian Weyrich

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-9) and JARA-FIT)

  • Mathias Gehlmann

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-6) and JARA-FIT)

  • Pika Gospodarič

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-6) and JARA-FIT)

  • Sven Döring

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-6) and JARA-FIT)

  • Gregor Mussler

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-9) and JARA-FIT)

  • Nataliya Demarina

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-2) and JARA-FIT)

  • Martina Luysberg

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons
    Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-5) and JARA-FIT)

  • Gustav Bihlmayer

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-1) and JARA-FIT)

  • Thomas Schäpers

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-9) and JARA-FIT)

  • Lukasz Plucinski

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-6) and JARA-FIT)

  • Stefan Blügel

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-1) and JARA-FIT)

  • Markus Morgenstern

    (RWTH Aachen University, II Institute of Physics B and JARA-FIT)

  • Claus M. Schneider

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-6) and JARA-FIT)

  • Detlev Grützmacher

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-9) and JARA-FIT)

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) topological insulators are a new state of quantum matter, which exhibits both a bulk band structure with an insulating energy gap as well as metallic spin-polarized Dirac fermion states when interfaced with a topologically trivial material. There have been various attempts to tune the Dirac point to a desired energetic position for exploring its unusual quantum properties. Here we show a direct experimental proof by angle-resolved photoemission of the realization of a vertical topological p–n junction made of a heterostructure of two different binary 3D TI materials Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3 epitaxially grown on Si(111). We demonstrate that the chemical potential is tunable by about 200 meV when decreasing the upper Sb2Te3 layer thickness from 25 to 6 quintuple layers without applying any external bias. These results make it realistic to observe the topological exciton condensate and pave the way for exploring other exotic quantum phenomena in the near future.

Suggested Citation

  • Markus Eschbach & Ewa Młyńczak & Jens Kellner & Jörn Kampmeier & Martin Lanius & Elmar Neumann & Christian Weyrich & Mathias Gehlmann & Pika Gospodarič & Sven Döring & Gregor Mussler & Nataliya Demari, 2015. "Realization of a vertical topological p–n junction in epitaxial Sb2Te3/Bi2Te3 heterostructures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms9816
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9816
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