Looking Beyond the Surface with Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy

TL;DR

This paper investigates the surface sensitivity of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) by analyzing vacuum-terminated crystalline slabs, reconciling kz fidelity with surface sensitivity and identifying key issues in data interpretation.

Contribution

It introduces a slab-based approach to better understand ARPES surface sensitivity and clarifies how to interpret spectral features related to bulk electronic structures.

Findings

Reconciliation of kz fidelity with surface sensitivity in ARPES

Identification of critical issues affecting kF, band velocity, and self-energy estimation

Insights into the interpretation of spectral features in ARPES experiments

Abstract

The issue of surface sensitivity, and its relationship with interpretation of spectral features observed in angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy experiments is investigated. Rather than attempt to make an explicit connection to bulk electronic structure calculations, we take the new approach of exploring this issue within the natural context of a vacuum-terminated crystalline slab. Doing so, we reconcile the empirical reality of reliable kz fidelity with acute surface sensitivity of this technique. In addition, we identify several critical issues which impact the estimation of kF , band velocity, and self-energy from photoemission experiments.