Surface states on a topologically non-trivial semimetal: The case of Sb(110)

TL;DR

This study investigates the electronic surface states of Sb(110) using photoemission spectroscopy and calculations, revealing topologically influenced surface states in a semimetal with strong spin-orbit effects.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of surface states on Sb(110), linking bulk topological properties with surface electronic structure in a semimetal.

Findings

Surface states are observed in the projected bulk band gaps.

Surface state dispersion shows strong spin-orbit splitting.

Bulk Sb exhibits characteristics of a strong topological insulator.

Abstract

The electronic structure of Sb(110) is studied by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and first-principle calculations, revealing several electronic surface states in the projected bulk band gaps around the Fermi energy. The dispersion of the states can be interpreted in terms of a strong spin-orbit splitting. The bulk band structure of Sb has the characteristics of a strong topological insulator with a Z2 invariant nu0=1. This puts constraints on the existence of metallic surface states and the expected topology of the surface Fermi contour. However, bulk Sb is a semimetal, not an insulator and these constraints are therefore partly relaxed. This relation of bulk topology and expected surface state dispersion for semimetals is discussed.