Mapping the Dirac fermions in intrinsic antiferromagnetic topological insulators (MnBi$_2$Te$_4$)(Bi$_2$Te$_3$)$_n$ (n=0, 1)

TL;DR

This study uses scanning tunneling microscopy to image and analyze the surface Dirac fermions in MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ and MnBi$_4$Te$_7$, revealing their topological nature and the impact of native defects on their electronic properties.

Contribution

It provides direct imaging and characterization of Dirac surface states in magnetic topological insulators, highlighting the role of defects in their electronic behavior.

Findings

Confirmed the topological nature of surface states through quasiparticle interference patterns.

Identified native defects that create resonance states near the Dirac point.

Highlighted the importance of defect regulation for realizing exotic topological states at higher temperatures.

Abstract

Topological surface states with intrinsic magnetic ordering in the MnBi$_2$Te$_4$(Bi$_2$Te$_3$)$_n$ compounds have been predicted to host rich topological phenomena including quantized anomalous Hall effect and axion insulator state. Here we use scanning tunneling microscopy to image the surface Dirac fermions in MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ and MnBi$_4$Te$_7$. We have determined the energy dispersion and helical spin texture of the surface states through quasiparticle interference patterns far above Dirac energy, which confirms its topological nature. Approaching the Dirac point, the native defects in the MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ septuple layer give rise to resonance states which extend spatially and potentially hinder the detection of a mass gap in the spectra. Our results demonstrate that regulating defects is essential to realize exotic topological states at higher temperatures in these compounds.