Deep insight into the electronic structure of ternary topological insulators: A comparative study of PbBi4Te7 and PbBi6Te10.
Pacilè D., Eremeev S.V., Caputo M., Pisarra M., De Luca O., Grimaldi I., Fujii J., Aliev Z.S., Babanly M.B., Vobornik I., Agostino R.G., Goldoni A., Chulkov E.V., Papagno M.
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Topological insulators have emerged as a novel quantum state of matter. The Dirac-like surface state and the peculiar spin-texture play an essential role in manipulating spin-polarization and spin-current. An innovative approach for future topological-based devices may rely on lead-based ternary chalcogenides. By performing detailed ARPES and STM investigations of PbBi4Te7 and PbBi6Te10, we provide evidence of coexisting topological surface states (TSSs) due to different surface terminations and Rashba-like split states close to the Fermi level. TSSs and Rashba-like states display a prevalent two-dimensional character and are barely affected by air exposure. XPS measurements and DFT simulations suggest that Rashba-like states stem from van der Waals gap expansion.