Edge States of {\alpha}-Bismuthene Nanostructures

TL;DR

This study investigates the edge states of alpha-bismuthene nanostructures on HOPG substrates, revealing their dependence on thickness and coupling effects through microscopy and spectroscopy.

Contribution

It provides a systematic analysis of how edge states vary with thickness and substrate coupling in alpha-bismuthene nanostructures.

Findings

Edge states are present in 5ML and 7ML structures at topographical edges.

3ML structures lack edge states and show moiré pattern-related states.

Coupling to adjacent structures influences edge state properties.

Abstract

We present a systematic investigation of the edge states of two-dimensional {\alpha}-bismuthene ({\alpha}-Bi) structures self-assembled on HOPG substrates, using scanning tunnelling microscopy and scanning tunnelling spectroscopy. The measurements are carried out for 3ML, 5ML and 7ML thick Bi structures. Our spectroscopy studies reveal clear features at the edges of the 5ML and 7ML thick structures, and the positions of the edge states (ESs) coincide with the topographical step edges. In contrast, in 3ML structures the ESs appear to be absent and instead new states are sometimes observed, far from the topographical edge. These states are associated with a moir\'e pattern and result from strain-induced modulation of the topology. Our observations demonstrate the impact on the edge states of coupling to adjacent structures.