Unconventional transformation of spin Dirac phase across a topological quantum phase transition

Su-Yang Xu, Madhab Neupane, Ilya Belopolski, Chang Liu, Nasser Alidoust, Guang Bian, Shuang Jia, Gabriel Landolt, Batosz Slomski, J. Hugo Dil, Pavel P. Shibayev, Susmita Basak, Tay-Rong Chang, Horng-Tay Jeng, Robert J. Cava, Hsin Lin, Arun Bansil and M. Zahid Hasan ()
Additional contact information
Su-Yang Xu: Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University
Madhab Neupane: Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University
Ilya Belopolski: Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University
Chang Liu: Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University
Nasser Alidoust: Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University
Guang Bian: Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University
Shuang Jia: Princeton University
Gabriel Landolt: Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute
Batosz Slomski: Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute
J. Hugo Dil: Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute
Pavel P. Shibayev: Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University
Susmita Basak: Northeastern University
Tay-Rong Chang: National Tsing Hua University
Horng-Tay Jeng: National Tsing Hua University
Robert J. Cava: Princeton University
Hsin Lin: National University of Singapore
Arun Bansil: Northeastern University
M. Zahid Hasan: Joseph Henry Laboratory, Princeton University

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract The topology of a topological material can be encoded in its surface states. These surface states can only be removed by a bulk topological quantum phase transition into a trivial phase. Here we use photoemission spectroscopy to image the formation of protected surface states in a topological insulator as we chemically tune the system through a topological transition. Surprisingly, we discover an exotic spin-momentum locked, gapped surface state in the trivial phase that shares many important properties with the actual topological surface state in anticipation of the change of topology. Using a spin-resolved measurement, we show that apart from a surface bandgap these states develop spin textures similar to the topological surface states well before the transition. Our results offer a general paradigm for understanding how surface states in topological phases arise from a quantum phase transition and are suggestive for the future realization of Weyl arcs, condensed matter supersymmetry and other fascinating phenomena in the vicinity of a quantum criticality.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7870

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