Condensed-Matter Physics & Materials Science Seminar

Three-dimensional topological insulators are bulk insulators with Z2 topological order that gives rise to Dirac surface states. These surface states are well protected against weak perturbations that do not break time-reversal symmetry, such as non-magnetic scalar potential disorder. However recent studies have shown that non-magnetic point defects can introduce new in-gap states. We developed a numerical model to simulate point defects on a TI surface, and performed linear-dichroic angle resolved photoemission (ARPES) to image these states in the surface electronic structure. We find that resonance states associated with the defects can hybridize with the Dirac cone surface state and create a kink-like feature in the band structure near the Dirac point. These resonance states are not Anderson localized even though they cluster around the defects sites, and at higher densities, the kink feature is predicted to evolve into a new distinct band that can support diffusive transport. We also present ARPES spectromicroscopy measurements that more clearly resolve the interplay of Dirac surface states with real-space structure.