The fluctuating population of Sm 4f configurations in topological Kondo insulator SmB explored with high-resolution X-ray absorption and emission spectra.

High-resolution partial-fluorescence-yield X-ray absorption and resonant X-ray emission spectra were used to characterize the temperature dependence of Sm 4f configurations and orbital/charge degree of freedom in SmB. The variation of Sm 4f configurations responds well to the formed Kondo gap, below 140 K, and an in-gap state, below 40 K. The topological in-gap state is correlated with the fluctuating population of Sm 4f configurations that arises via carrier transfer between 3d4f and 3d4f states; both states are partially delocalized, and the mediating 5d orbital plays the role of a transfer path. Complementary results shown in this work thus manifest the importance of configuration fluctuations and orbital delocalization in the topological surface state of SmB.