Electronic structure of La (0001) thin films on W (110) studied by photoemission spectroscopy and first principle calculations

Surface states that have a dz2 symmetry around the center of the surface Brillouin zone(BZ)have been regarded common in closely-packed surfaces of rare-earth metals.In this work,we report the electronic structure of dhcp La(0001)thin films by ultrahigh energy resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy(ARPES)and first principle calculations.Our first principle analysis is based on the many-body approach,therefore,density function theory(DFT)combined with dynamic mean-field theory(DMFT).The experimentally observed Fermi surface topology and band structure close to the Fermi energy qualitatively agree with first principle calculations when using a renormalization factor of between 2 and 3 for the DFT bands.Photon energy dependent ARPES measurements revealed clear kZ dependence for the hole-like band around the BZ center,previously regarded as a surface state.The obtained ARPES results and theoretical calculations suggest that the major bands of dhcp La(0001)near the Fermi level originate from the bulk La 5d orbits as opposed to originating from the surface states.     

Chiral orbital-angular momentum in the surface states of Bi2Se3

We performed angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES) experiments with circularly polarized light and first-principles density functional calculation with spin-orbit coupling to study surface states of a topological insulator Bi2Se3. We observed circular dichroism (CD) as large as 30% in the ARPES data with upper and lower Dirac cones showing opposite signs in CD. The observed CD is attributed to the existence of local orbital-angular momentum (OAM). First-principles calculation shows that OAM in the surface states is significant and is locked to the electron momentum in the opposite direction to the spin, forming chiral OAM states. Our finding opens a new possibility for strong light-induced spin-polarized current in surface states. We also provide a proof for local OAM origin of the CD in ARPES.     

Surface-induced orbital-selective band reconstruction in kagome superconductor CsV3Sb5

The two-dimensional (2D) kagome superconductor CsV₃Sb₅ has attracted much recent attention due to the coexistence of superconductivity, charge orders, topology and kagome physics, which manifest themselves as distinct electronic structures in both bulk and surface states of the material. An interesting next step is to manipulate the electronic states in this system. Here, we report angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) evidence for a surface-induced orbital-selective band reconstruction in CsV₃Sb₅. A significant energy shift of the electron-like band around Γ and a moderate energy shift of the hole-like band around M are observed as a function of time. This evolution is reproduced in a much shorter time scale by in-situ annealing of the CsV₃Sb₅ sample. Orbital-resolved density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the momentum-dependent band reconstruction is associated with different orbitals for the bands around Γ and M, and the time-dependent evolution points to the change of sample surface that is likely caused by the formation of Cs vacancies on the surface. Our results indicate the possibility of orbital-selective control of the band structure via surface modification, which may open a new avenue for manipulating exotic phenomena in this material system, including superconductivity.     

Existence, character, and origin of surface-related bands in the high temperature iron pnictide superconductor BaFe(2-x)Co(x)As2

Low energy electron diffraction (LEED) experiments, LEED simulations, and finite slab density functional calculations are combined to study the cleavage surface of Co doped BaFe(2-x)Co(x)As2 (x = 0.1,0.17). We demonstrate that the energy dependence of the LEED data can only be understood from a terminating 1/2 Ba layer accompanied by distortions of the underlying As-Fe2-As block. As a result, surface-related Fe 3d states are present in the electronic structure, which we identify in angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) experiments. The close proximity of the surface-related states to the bulk bands inevitably leads to broadening of the ARPES signals, which excludes the use of the BaFe(2-x)Co(x)As2 system for accurate determination of self-energies using ARPES.     

Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study of the (101) surface of the Kondo insulator CeNiSn

The electronic structure of CeNiSn, which is considered a possible topological Kondo insulator, has been investigated by employing synchrotron radiation excited angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). We have found that the easy cleavage plane in CeNiSn is (101), for which we have investigated the Fermi surface (FS) and band structures. The measured FS and ARPES for the (101) plane are described well by the calculated FS and band structures, obtained from the DFT calculations. The measured ARPES bands and photon energy map show that the metallic states crossing the Fermi level have the 3D nature, casting a negative suspicion for the existence of the topological surface states of the 2D character in CeNiSn. The Ce 4f Kondo resonance peak is observed in Ce 4d → 4f resonant photoemission spectroscopy, suggesting the importance of the Ce 4f electrons in determining the temperature-dependent topological electronic structure of CeNiSn.     

Electronic structure,Dirac points and Fermi arc surface states in three-dimensional Dirac semimetal Na_3Bi from angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

The three-dimensional(3D) Dirac semimetals have linearly dispersive 3D Dirac nodes where the conduction band and valence band are connected. They have isolated 3D Dirac nodes in the whole Brillouin zone and can be viewed as a 3D counterpart of graphene. Recent theoretical calculations and experimental results indicate that the 3D Dirac semimetal state can be realized in a simple stoichiometric compound A_3Bi(A = Na, K, Rb). Here we report comprehensive high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission(ARPES) measurements on the two cleaved surfaces,(001) and(100), of Na_3Bi. On the(001) surface, by comparison with theoretical calculations, we provide a proper assignment of the observed bands, and in particular, pinpoint the band that is responsible for the formation of the three-dimensional Dirac cones. We observe clear evidence of 3D Dirac cones in the three-dimensional momentum space by directly measuring on the k_x–k_y plane and by varying the photon energy to get access to different out-of-plane k_zs. In addition, we reveal new features around the Brillouin zone corners that may be related with surface reconstruction. On the(100) surface, our ARPES measurements over a large momentum space raise an issue on the selection of the basic Brillouin zone in the(100) plane. We directly observe two isolated 3D Dirac nodes on the(100) surface. We observe the signature of the Fermi-arc surface states connecting the two 3D Dirac nodes that extend to a binding energy of ~150 me V before merging into the bulk band. Our observations constitute strong evidence on the existence of the Dirac semimetal state in Na_3Bi that are consistent with previous theoretical and experimental work. In addition, our results provide new information to clarify on the nature of the band that forms the3 D Dirac cones, on the possible formation of surface reconstruction of the(001) surface, and on the issue of basic Brillouin zone selection for the(100) surface.     

H,Cl和F原子钝化Cu_2ZnSnS_4(112)表面态的第一性原理计算

采用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理计算方法系统研究了Cu_2ZnSnS_4体相的晶格结构、能带、态密度及表面重构与H,Cl和F原子在Cu_2ZnSnS_4(112)表面上的吸附和钝化机理.计算结果表明:表面重构出现在以金属原子Cu-Zn-Sn终止的Cu_2ZnSnS_4(112)表面上,并且表面重构使表面发生自钝化;当单个H,Cl或F原子吸附在S原子终止的Cu_2ZnSnS_4(112)表面上时,相比于桥位(bridge)、六方密排(hcp)位和面心立方(fcc)位点,三种原子均在特定的顶位(top)吸附位点表现出最佳稳定性.当覆盖度为0.5 ML时,无论H,Cl还是F原子占据Cu_2ZnSnS_4(112)表面的2个顶位均具有最低的吸附能.以S原子终止的Cu_2ZnSnS_4(112)表面在费米能级附近的电子态主要由价带顶部Cu-3d轨道和S-3p轨道电子贡献,此即表面态.当H,Cl或F原子在表面的覆盖度达0.5 ML时,费米能级附近的表面态降低,其中H原子钝化表面态的效果最佳,Cl原子的效果次之,F原子的效果最差.表面态降低的主要原因在于吸附原子从S原子获得电子致使表面Cu原子和S原子在费米能级处的态密度峰几乎完全消失.     

Bulk vs. surface effects in ARPES experiment from La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 thin films

Experiments directly probing the electronic states using angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES) were carried out on La_2/3Sr_1/3MnO₃ in order to elucidate its electronic properties. ARPES is a surface sensitive technique where bulk and surface states are usually both present. We present high-resolution ARPES studies in the (1 0 0) and (1 1 0) mirror planes and compare them with simulated ARPES based on GGA + U band structure calculations. In the (1 1 0) mirror plane we identify surface umklapps accounted by surface reconstruction which couple to bulk electronic states. As predicted by the simulated spectra there is additional spectral intensity at the Fermi level detected in ARPES data due to k_⊥-broadening effects in the photoemission final states. We demonstrate that this additional spectral intensity is a convenient spectral marker for determination of the k_F Fermi momenta.     

Insight into the f-derived Fermi surface of the heavy-fermion compound YbRh2Si2

Angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES) was used to study the Fermi surface of the heavy-fermion system YbRh(2)Si(2) at a temperature of about 10 K, i.e., a factor of 2 below the Kondo energy scale. We observed sharp structures with a well-defined topology, which were analyzed by comparing with results of band-structure calculations based on the local-density approximation (LDA). The observed bulk Fermi surface presents strong similarities with that expected for a trivalent Yb state, but is slightly larger, has a strong Yb-4f character, and deviates from the LDA results by a larger region without states around the Γ point. These properties are qualitatively explained in the framework of a simple f-d hybridization model. Our analysis highlights the importance of taking into account surface states and doing an appropriate projection along k(z) when comparing ARPES data with results from theoretical calculations.     

Molecular beam epitaxy growth of monolayer hexagonal MnTe2 on Si(111) substrate

Monolayer MnTe₂ stabilized as 1T structure has been theoretically predicted to be a two-dimensional (2D) ferromagnetic metal and can be tuned via strain engineering. There is no naturally van der Waals (vdW) layered MnTe₂ bulk, leaving mechanical exfoliation impossible to prepare monolayer MnTe₂. Herein, by means of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), we successfully prepared monolayer hexagonal MnTe₂ on Si(111) under Te rich condition. Sharp reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) and low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) patterns suggest the monolayer is atomically flat without surface reconstruction. The valence state of Mn⁴⁺ and the atom ratio of ([Te]:[Mn]) further confirm the MnTe₂ compound. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) shows the hexagonal MnTe₂ monolayer is a semiconductor with a large bandgap of ~2.78 eV. The valence-band maximum (VBM) locates at the Γ point, as illustrated by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), below which three hole-type bands with parabolic dispersion can be identified. The successful synthesis of monolayer MnTe₂ film provides a new platform to investigate the 2D magnetism.     

Measurement of the bulk and surface bands in Dirac line-node semimetal ZrSiS

Dirac semimetals are materials in which the conduction and the valence bands have robust crossing points protected by topology or symmetry. Recently, a new type of Dirac semimetals, so called the Dirac line-node semimetals(DLNSs), have attracted a lot of attention, as they host robust Dirac points along the one-dimensional(1D) lines in the Brillouin zone(BZ).In this work, using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy(ARPES) and first-principles calculations, we systematically investigated the electronic structures of non-symmorphic ZrSiS crystal where we clearly distinguished the surface states from the bulk states. The photon-energy-dependent measurements further prove the existence of Dirac line node along the X-R direction. Remarkably, by in situ surface potassium doping, we clearly observed the different evolutions of the bulk and surface electronic states while proving the robustness of the Dirac line node. Our studies not only reveal the complete electronic structures of ZrSiS, but also demonstrate the method manipulating the electronic structure of the compound.     

Synthesis and optical characterization of Gd2O3:Eu nanocrystals: surface states and VUV excitation

This paper reports on the synthesis and characterization of Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ nanocrystals of different sizes. The particles have been synthesized by a sol-lyophilization process. This methods allows the synthesis of 7–100 nm diameter cubic-phase particles. The photoluminescence properties have been studied with different excitation from X-ray to VUV and visible wavelengths. Compared to the properties of the bulk materials, some important changes on the luminescence are observed. In particular some bands are strengthened when the size of the particles is diminished. We could therefore ascribe this bands to doping ions on a site close to the surface. Also a very low efficiency of excitation for small particles is observed when exciting with X-ray or high-energy VUV photons (i.e. when exciting the host matrix) compared to the efficiency obtained when exciting in the charge transfer band or in the doping ions related states.     

FeS2(100)表面原子几何与电子结构的理论研究

采用密度泛函理论研究了FeS2(100)表面原子几何与电子结构.理论计算结果表明:FeS2(100)表面无弛豫、无重构,是体相原子几何的自然终止.与体相电子结构相比,FeS2(100)表面电子特性明显不同,禁带中央产生新的表面态,且表面态局域性强,主要由Fe原子的3d分波贡献.配位场理论定性分析表明:FeS2(100)完整晶面表面态产生机制是Fe原子的配位数减少、局部对称性下降所致 关键词： 密度泛函理论 表面电子结构 FeS2     

Mixed-valence states at a crystal surface: SmS

We present a model calculation, based on the Falicov-Kimball model for metal-insulator transitions, which shows that for a mixed-valence solid with a surface, the average valence of the atoms at the surface may be substantially different from that in the bulk. The effect, which we have calculated only for T = 0 and neglecting hybridization, is due to the different local density of itinerant states at the surface and bulk atoms. Surface states contribute to the valence difference but are not solely responsible for it.     

Studies on the electronic structures of three-dimensional topological insulators by angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy

Three-dimensional (3D) topological insulators represent a new state of quantum matter with a bulk gap and odd number of relativistic Dirac fermions on the surface. The unusual surface states of topological insulators rise from the nontrivial topology of their electronic structures as a result of strong spin-orbital coupling. In this review, we will briefly introduce the concept of topological insulators and the experimental method that can directly probe their unique electronic structure: angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). A few examples are then presented to demonstrate the unique band structures of different families of topological insulators and the unusual properties of the topological surface states. Finally, we will briefly discuss the future development of topological quantum materials.     

Electron states of ultrathin Pd and Cu films on (001)Ag

We present the results of a theoretical calculation of the electronic structure of a monolayer of Pd and Cu deposited on the (001) surface of Ag. The adsorbate atoms are placed in a central site with the same lateral periodicity as a parallel plane of the substrate. The method of calculation is a parametrized LCAO with hopping integrals determined through a fit to bulk data. Charge transfer effects are taken approximately into account by assuming the intraatomic parameters to vary as the valence orbital ionization potentials. Energy bands and local densities of states are given and the nature and location of the adsorbate states are discussed. The results are compared with the experimental data: good agreement is found for the Pd on Ag system. For Cu on Ag we find that our assumptions do not explain the photoemission data and suggest that some clustering of Cu atoms occurs during the deposition.     

Density of states and the problem of Sm valence

Density of states for Sm metal has been calculated in DFT/GGA approximation using the same treatment for f and s-d bands. It is concluded that the 4f electrons of Sm must be considered as valence electrons, not shallow core states. Therefore the 4f-5d transition cannot change the valence of Sm, which may be characterized (if necessary) by the sum of all electrons in the s-d-f valence bands. The possibility of alternative interpretation of UPS spectra of Sm adsorbed films is illustrated by calculations of DOS (density of states) for oxygen-contaminated Sm crystal.