Observation of a topologically non-trivial surface state in half-Heusler PtLuSb (001) thin films

Logan, J. A.; Patel, Sahil; Harrington, Sean D.; Polley, Craig; Schultz, Brian D.; Balasubramanian, T.; Janotti, Anderson; Mikkelsen, Anders; Palmstrøm, C. J.

doi:10.1038/ncomms11993

Cited by 53 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Combining ab initio band structure calculations and the k · p Kane model, we predict several TP candidate half-Heusler materials, including, for example, YPtBi, LuPtBi, and GdPtBi [the paramagnetic phase]). The TPs and resultant extended Fermi arcs are revealed in our calculations, and await experimental proof.Ternary half-Heusler compounds have been extensively studied in the search for TIs [28][29][30][31][32][33][34] and Weyl semimetals [35][36][37][38]. The band structure of Heusler TIs has been identified as being topologically identical to HgTe [39].…”

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confidence: 99%

Prediction of Triple Point Fermions in Simple Half-Heusler Topological Insulators

Yang

Parkin

et al. 2017

Phys. Rev. Lett.

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We predict the existence of triple point fermions in the band structure of several half-Heusler topological insulators by ab initio calculations and the Kane model. We find that many half-Heusler compounds exhibit multiple triple points along four independent C3 axes, through which the doubly degenerate conduction bands and the nondegenerate valence band cross each other linearly nearby the Fermi energy. When projected from the bulk to the (111) surface, most of these triple points are located far away from the surfaceΓ point, as distinct from previously reported triple point fermion candidates. These isolated triple points give rise to Fermi arcs on the surface, that can be readily detected by photoemission spectroscopy or scanning tunneling spectroscopy.The discovery of topological insulators (TIs) [1,2] has generated much interest in the search for other novel topological states in condensed matter physics and materials science.As quasiparticle analogues of elementary particles of the standard model, Dirac fermions [3][4][5][6] and Weyl fermions [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] have recently been found in several materials (see reviews Refs. 15 and 16). Both Dirac and Weyl fermions exhibit Fermi arcs, unclosed Fermi surfaces, on the boundary, as a hallmark for the experimental detection. More recently, several exotic types of fermions, which do not have elementary particle counterparts, have been theoretically predicted as quasiparticle excitations near certain band crossing points that are protected by specific space-group symmetries [17,18].In particular, triple point (TP) fermions have been predicted in many materials with triply degenerate band crossing points [19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. These predictions have stimulated intensive experimental studies to search for their signatures, for example, using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) [26] and transport properties [27].TPs can be viewed as an intermediate phase between fourfold degenerate Dirac points and twofold degenerate Weyl points.They also give rise to Fermi arcs when projected onto certain specific crystal facets. However, the detection of TP-induced Fermi arcs remains challenging from the material point of view. A pair of TPs are protected by the C 3v symmetry group (generated by a C 3 rotation and a σ v mirror operation) in certain compounds [19][20][21][22][23][24], for example, tensile-strained HgTe [19], MoP [20], and antiferromagnetic (AFM) half-Heusler compounds (e.g. GdPtBi) [24]. Even presuming that samples can be grown, the natural cleavable surface is usually the facet that is perpendicular to the C 3 axis. Consequently, two TPs at the unique C 3 axis are projected to the sameΓ point of the surface Brillouin zone (BZ), resulting in the disappearance of Fermi arcs, as shown in a recent ARPES measurement on MoP [26]. Therefore, TP materials with easily measurable Fermi arcs are still required for the final experimental verification of TP fermions.In this work, we predict the existence of multiple TPs in several half-Heusler ...

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Prediction of Triple Point Fermions in Simple Half-Heusler Topological Insulators

Yang

Parkin

et al. 2017

Phys. Rev. Lett.

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“…The thallium‐based thermoelectrics Tl(Bi,Sb)Te 2 and TlBiSe 2 have proved to be TIs . Unusual topological surface states are found in half‐Heusler compounds LuPtSb, LnPtBi, where Ln = Y, Lu . Solid solutions of lead and tin tellurides Pb 1− x Sn x Te with x > 1/3 turned out to be topological crystalline insulators .…”

Section: Thermoelectric Materials With Nontrivial Electronic Topologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermoelectric Properties of Topological Insulators

Ivanov

Бурков

Pshenay-Severin

2018

Physica Status Solidi (b)

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Many efficient thermoelectric materials belong to the class of topological insulators. Therefore, in recent years considerable efforts have been made to elucidate the influence of nontrivial electronic topology on the thermoelectric properties of thermoelectrics. This review describes the basic transport properties of helical surface states of topological insulators. Their effect on the thermoelectric efficiency of materials is discussed. The main attention is paid to (Bi,Sb)2(Te,Se)3 alloys, which combine the properties of the best thermoelectrics and a model topological insulator.

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“…Around 50 half-Heusler compounds are theoretically predicted to possess inverted band structure and can be driven into the topological insulating phase by applying strains [38][39][40][41][42] . Unusual surface states were recently observed experimentally in LnPtBi(Ln=Lu, Y) 43 and LuPtSb 44 , and serve as an evidence of non-trivial bulk topology. Weyl semimetal (WSM) phase was theoretically discussed in several half-Heusler compounds, including GdPtBi under external magnetic fields 45 and LaPtBi with in-plane strain 46 , and the corresponding evidences were found in recent experiments [47][48][49] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Model Hamiltonian and time reversal breaking topological phases of antiferromagnetic half-Heusler materials

Yan

Liu

2017

Phys. Rev. B

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In this work, we construct a generalized Kane model with a new coupling term between itinerant electron spins and local magnetic moments of anti-ferromagnetic ordering in order to describe the low energy effective physics in a large family of anti-ferromagnetic half-Heusler materials. Topological properties of this generalized Kane model is studied and a large variety of topological phases, including Dirac semimetal phase, Weyl semimetal phase, nodal line semimetal phase, type-B triple point semimetal phase, topological mirror (or glide) insulating phase and anti-ferromagnetic topological insulating phase, are identified in different parameter regions of our effective models. In particular, we find that the system is always driven into the anti-ferromagnetic topological insulator phase once a bulk band gap is open, irrespective of the magnetic moment direction, thus providing a robust realization of anti-ferromagentic topological insulators. Furthermore, we discuss the possible realization of these topological phases in realistic anti-ferromagnetic half-Heusler materials. Our effective model provides a basis for the future study of physical phenomena in this class of materials.

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Observation of a topologically non-trivial surface state in half-Heusler PtLuSb (001) thin films

Cited by 53 publications

References 32 publications

Prediction of Triple Point Fermions in Simple Half-Heusler Topological Insulators

Prediction of Triple Point Fermions in Simple Half-Heusler Topological Insulators

Thermoelectric Properties of Topological Insulators

Model Hamiltonian and time reversal breaking topological phases of antiferromagnetic half-Heusler materials

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