Nanoscale surface dynamics of Bi2 Te3 (111): observation of a prominent surface acoustic wave and the role of van der Waals interactions

Nanoscale
Anton TamtöglW Allison

Abstract

We present a combined experimental and theoretical study of the surface vibrational modes of the topological insulator Bi2Te3. Using high-resolution helium-3 spin-echo spectroscopy we are able to resolve the acoustic phonon modes of Bi2Te3(111). The low energy region of the lattice vibrations is mainly dominated by the Rayleigh mode which has been claimed to be absent in previous experimental studies. The appearance of the Rayleigh mode is consistent with previous bulk lattice dynamics studies as well as theoretical predictions of the surface phonon modes. Density functional perturbation theory calculations including van der Waals corrections are in excellent agreement with the experimental data. Comparison of the experimental results with theoretically obtained values for films with a thickness of several layers further demonstrate, that for an accurate theoretical description of three-dimensional topological insulators with their layered structure the inclusion of van der Waals corrections is essential. The presence of a prominent surface acoustic wave and the contribution of van der Waals bonding to the lattice dynamics may hold important implications for the thermoelectric properties of thin-film and nanoscale devices.

References

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Citations

Jan 11, 2020·Physical Review Letters·T T ZhangM P M Dean
Jan 16, 2020·Nature Communications·Anton TamtöglWilliam Allison
Nov 3, 2020·Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP·Adrian RuckhoferAnton Tamtögl
Dec 18, 2020·Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP·David J WardWilliam Allison
Jan 26, 2021·Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP·Anton TamtöglWolfgang E Ernst
Feb 8, 2020·The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·Giorgio BenedekAnton Tamtögl
Oct 15, 2019·The Journal of Physical Chemistry. C, Nanomaterials and Interfaces·Adrian RuckhoferWolfgang E Ernst

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