A microscopic model for detecting the surface states photoelectrons in Topological Insulators

TL;DR

This paper introduces a microscopic model to analyze the photoelectrons emitted from topological insulator surfaces under polarized laser illumination, focusing on tunneling and photon-electron interactions.

Contribution

It develops a Hamiltonian-based model to compute the intensity and polarization of surface photoelectrons in topological insulators, advancing understanding of their surface state detection.

Findings

Quantifies photoelectron intensity and polarization

Provides a theoretical framework for surface state analysis

Enhances interpretation of photoemission experiments

Abstract

We present a model for the photoelectrons emitted from the surface of a Topological insulator induced by a polarized laser source. The model is based on the tunneling of the surface electrons into the vacuum in the presence of a photon field. Using the Hamiltonian which describes the coupling of the photons to the surface electrons we compute the intensity and polarization of the photoelectrons.