Spin Filtering via Resonant Reflection of Relativistic Surface States

A microscopic approach is developed to scattering of surface states from a non-magnetic linear defect at a surface with strong spin-orbit interaction. Spin-selective reflection resonances in scattering of Rashba-split surface states by an atomic stripe are theoretically discovered in a proof-of-principle calculation for a model crystal potential. Spin-filtering properties of such linear defects are analyzed within an envelope-function formalism for a perturbed surface based on the Rashba Hamiltonian. The continuous Rashba model is found to be in full accord with the microscopic theory, which reveals the essential physics behind the scattering resonance. The spin-dependent reflection suggests a novel mechanism to manipulate spins on the nanoscale.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl

The quasiparticle band gap in the topological insulator Bi2Te3

We present a theoretical study of dispersion of states which form the bulk band-gap edges in the three-dimensional topological insulator Bi2Te3. Within density functional theory, we analyze the effect of atomic positions varying within the error range of the available experimental data and approximation chosen for the exchange-correlation functional on the bulk band gap and k-space location of valence- and conduction-band extrema. For each set of the positions with different exchange-correlation functionals, we show how many-body corrections calculated within a one-shot GW approach affect the mentioned characteristics of electronic structure of Bi2Te3. We thus also illustrate to what degree the one-shot GW results are sensitive to the reference one-particle band structure in the case of bismuth telluride. We found that for this topological insulator the GW corrections enlarge the fundamental band gap and for certain atomic positions and reference band structure bring its value in close agreement with experiment.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, 5 table

First principles quasiparticle damping rates in bulk lead

First principles calculations of the damping rates (inverse inelastic lifetimes) of low energy quasiparticles in bulk Pb are presented. Damping rates are obtained both for excited electrons and holes with energies up to 8 eV on a set of k vectors throughout the Brillouin zone (BZ). Strong localization effects in the calculated lifetimes are found. Averaged over the BZ inelastic lifetimes versus quasiparticle energy are reported as well. In addition, the effect of the spin-orbit induced splitting in the band structure on the calculated lifetimes in Pb is investigated.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, 5 table

Rashba split surface states in BiTeBr

Within density functional theory, we study bulk band structure and surface states of BiTeBr. We consider both ordered and disordered phases which differ in atomic order in the Te-Br sublattice. On the basis of relativistic ab-initio calculations, we show that the ordered BiTeBr is energetically preferable as compared with the disordered one. We demonstrate that both Te- and Br-terminated surfaces of the ordered BiTeBr hold surface states with a giant spin-orbit splitting. The Te-terminated surface-state spin splitting has the Rashba-type behavior with the coupling parameter \alpha_R ~ 2 eV\AA.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Spin-helical Dirac states in graphene induced by polar-substrate surfaces with giant spin-orbit interaction: a new platform for spintronics

Spintronics, or spin electronics, is aimed at efficient control and manipulation of spin degrees of freedom in electron systems. To comply with demands of nowaday spintronics, the studies of electron systems hosting giant spin-orbit-split electron states have become one of the most important directions providing us with a basis for desirable spintronics devices. In construction of such devices, it is also tempting to involve graphene, which has attracted great attention because of its unique and remarkable electronic properties and was recognized as a viable replacement for silicon in electronics. In this case, a challenging goal is to make graphene Dirac states spin-polarized. Here, we report on absolutely new promising pathway to create spin-polarized Dirac states based on coupling of graphene and polar-substrate surface states with giant Rashba-type spin-splitting. We demonstrate how the spin-helical Dirac states are formed in graphene deposited on the surface of BiTeCl. This coupling induces spin separation of the originally spin-degenerate graphene states and results in fully helical in-plane spin polarization of the Dirac electrons.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure