Features and applications of the energy shift of the topological surface state

Contemporary studies of magnetic topological insulators (TIs) aimed at investigating Dirac point (DP) gaps by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) require ultrahigh energy, momentum, and spatial resolution. Despite satisfying all these conditions, accurate measurements can be spoiled by the well-known, but often neglected, effect of the energy shift of bands, in particular the topological surface state (TSS), due to sample contamination and irradiation. Thus, in this work we focus on the effect of TI irradiation with laser light (h nu = 6.3 eV) on the measurability of its electronic structure using the ARPES method. We find that the distribution of the shifted TSS is sufficiently localized and remains stable over time under constant conditions. Therefore, it can be used to store information. The TSS retains its spin pattern regardless of irradiation, as demonstrated by dichroic ARPES measurements. However, irradiation leads to a significant broadening of the TSS, accompanied by a drop in its intensity. All these factors complicate the analysis of the states near the DP and the DP gap size. Finally, using a simple model, we demonstrate the variability of the DP gap over time in the resulting ARPES image, caused by both shift and broadening effects. Thus, accurate values of the DP gap can be obtained by measuring over a relatively small period of time, which is determined by a certain time constant of the energy shift.

Automated summary

Contemporary studies of magnetic topological insulators require accurate measurements to investigate Dirac point gaps. In this study, the effect of band energy shift due to sample contamination and irradiation on electronic structure measurement using ARPES method is examined. The results show that the shifted topological surface state remains stable and can be used to store information, but it becomes significantly broadened and its intensity drops under irradiation.