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Observation of Coulomb gap in the quantum spin Hall candidate single-layer 1T’-WTe2

Author

Listed:
  • Ye-Heng Song

    (Nanjing University)

  • Zhen-Yu Jia

    (Nanjing University)

  • Dongqin Zhang

    (Nanjing University)

  • Xin-Yang Zhu

    (Nanjing University)

  • Zhi-Qiang Shi

    (Nanjing University)

  • Huaiqiang Wang

    (Nanjing University)

  • Li Zhu

    (Nanjing University)

  • Qian-Qian Yuan

    (Nanjing University)

  • Haijun Zhang

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

  • Ding-Yu Xing

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

  • Shao-Chun Li

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

Abstract

The two-dimensional topological insulators host a full gap in the bulk band, induced by spin–orbit coupling (SOC) effect, together with the topologically protected gapless edge states. However, it is usually challenging to suppress the bulk conductance and thus to realize the quantum spin Hall (QSH) effect. In this study, we find a mechanism to effectively suppress the bulk conductance. By using the quasiparticle interference technique with scanning tunneling spectroscopy, we demonstrate that the QSH candidate single-layer 1T’-WTe2 has a semimetal bulk band structure with no full SOC-induced gap. Surprisingly, in this two-dimensional system, we find the electron–electron interactions open a Coulomb gap which is always pinned at the Fermi energy (EF). The opening of the Coulomb gap can efficiently diminish the bulk state at the EF and supports the observation of the quantized conduction of topological edge states.

Suggested Citation

  • Ye-Heng Song & Zhen-Yu Jia & Dongqin Zhang & Xin-Yang Zhu & Zhi-Qiang Shi & Huaiqiang Wang & Li Zhu & Qian-Qian Yuan & Haijun Zhang & Ding-Yu Xing & Shao-Chun Li, 2018. "Observation of Coulomb gap in the quantum spin Hall candidate single-layer 1T’-WTe2," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-06635-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06635-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Huimin Zhang & Basu Dev Oli & Qiang Zou & Xu Guo & Zhengfei Wang & Lian Li, 2023. "Visualizing symmetry-breaking electronic orders in epitaxial Kagome magnet FeSn films," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Yong-Jie Xu & Guohua Cao & Qi-Yuan Li & Cheng-Long Xue & Wei-Min Zhao & Qi-Wei Wang & Li-Guo Dou & Xuan Du & Yu-Xin Meng & Yuan-Kun Wang & Yu-Hang Gao & Zhen-Yu Jia & Wei Li & Lianlian Ji & Fang-Sen L, 2024. "Realization of monolayer ZrTe5 topological insulators with wide band gaps," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.

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