AI Article Synopsis
- Ultrathin bismuth films are identified as potential two-dimensional topological insulators, but their properties are influenced by factors such as film thickness and substrate interactions.
- Research utilizing advanced techniques like angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy shows that Bi(111) films on a NbSe substrate exhibit quasi-freestanding band structures and one-dimensional edge states even at just three bilayers thick.
- The coexistence of these topological edge states and superconductivity, with pairing potential diminishing as layer thickness increases, positions the system as an exciting opportunity for investigating Majorana Fermions.
Article Abstract
Ultrathin freestanding bismuth film is theoretically predicted to be one kind of two-dimensional topological insulators. Experimentally, the topological nature of bismuth strongly depends on the situations of the Bi films. Film thickness and interaction with the substrate often change the topological properties of Bi films. Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy or spectroscopy and first-principle calculation, the properties of Bi(111) ultrathin film grown on the NbSe superconducting substrate have been studied. We find the band structures of the ultrathin film is quasi-freestanding, and one-dimensional edge state exists on Bi(111) film as thin as three bilayers. Superconductivity is also detected on different layers of the film and the pairing potential exhibits an exponential decay with the layer thicknesses. Thus, the topological edge state can coexist with superconductivity, which makes the system a promising platform for exploring Majorana Fermions.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.7b00365 | DOI Listing |
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