Spin texture on the warped Dirac-cone surface states in topological insulators

Susmita Basak, Hsin Lin, L. A. Wray, S. Y. Xu, L. Fu, M. Z. Hasan, A. Bansil

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

65 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have investigated the nature of surface states in the Bi 2Te3 family of three-dimensional topological insulators using first-principles calculations as well as a model Hamiltonian approach. When the surface Dirac cone is warped due to Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling in rhombohedral structures, the spin acquires a finite out-of-the-plane component. We provide a simple, minimal model to describe the in-plane spin texture of the warped surface Dirac cone observed in experiments where spins are seen to be not aligned perpendicular to the electron momentum. Our k•p model calculation reveals that this in-plane spin texture requires fifth-order Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling terms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number121401
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume84
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 6 2011

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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