Tunable inverse topological heterostructure utilizing (Bi1xInx)2Se3 and multichannel weak-antilocalization effect

Matthew J. Brahlek, Nikesh Koirala, Jianpeng Liu, Tahir I. Yusufaly, Maryam Salehi, Myung-Geun Han, Yimei Zhu, David Vanderbilt, and Seongshik Oh
Phys. Rev. B 93, 125416 – Published 10 March 2016
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Abstract

In typical topological insulator (TI) systems the TI is bordered by a non-TI insulator, and the surrounding conventional insulators, including vacuum, are not generally treated as part of the TI system. Here, we implement a material system where the roles are reversed, and the topological surface states form around the non-TI (instead of the TI) layers. This is realized by growing a layer of the tunable non-TI (Bi1xInx)2Se3 in between two layers of the TI Bi2Se3 using the atomically precise molecular beam epitaxy technique. On this tunable inverse topological platform, we systematically vary the thickness and the composition of the (Bi1xInx)2Se3 layer and show that this tunes the coupling between the TI layers from strongly coupled metallic to weakly coupled, and finally to a fully decoupled insulating regime. This system can be used to probe the fundamental nature of coupling in TI materials and provides a tunable insulating layer for TI devices.

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  • Received 26 August 2015
  • Revised 14 January 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.93.125416

©2016 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Condensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Matthew J. Brahlek1,*, Nikesh Koirala1, Jianpeng Liu1, Tahir I. Yusufaly1, Maryam Salehi2, Myung-Geun Han3, Yimei Zhu3, David Vanderbilt1, and Seongshik Oh1,†

  • 1Department of Physics & Astronomy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
  • 2Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
  • 3Condensed Matter Physics & Materials Science Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, USA

  • *Present address: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
  • ohsean@physics.rutgers.edu

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Issue

Vol. 93, Iss. 12 — 15 March 2016

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