Identifying open-orbit topological surface states in dual topological semimetal TaSb$_2$

TL;DR

This study identifies and characterizes open-orbit topological surface states in TaSb$_2$, revealing their spin-momentum locking and topological origin through ARPES, calculations, and transport measurements, highlighting its potential for spin-polarized topological transport.

Contribution

First identification of open-orbit topological surface states in TaSb$_2$, demonstrating their spin-momentum locking and topological nature via combined experimental and theoretical approaches.

Findings

Open-orbit Fermi surfaces are of surface origin.

Surface states exhibit spin-momentum locking.

TaSb$_2$ shows weak antilocalization indicating topological transport.

Abstract

TaSb$_2$, a member of the transition metal dipnictide family of materials, hosts the very rare dual topological phase - weak topological insulating state and topological crystalline insulating state along different crystallographic orientations. So far, studies on the electronic structure of transition metal dipnictides have focused on their overall electronic structure and the bulk open-orbit Fermi surfaces. Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, density functional theory calculations, and transport measurements, we distinguish the intertwined bulk and surface states on the weakly topological $(20\bar{1})$ plane of TaSb$_2$. We identify multiple electron- and hole-like bulk bands, yielding a near-perfect carrier compensation. Crucially, we observe open-orbit FSs parallel to $\bar{L}$-$\bar{Y}$ direction that are entirely of surface origin. Circular-dichroism ARPES reveals $k \rightarrow -k$ spectral reversal, indicating spin-momentum locking and the topological nature of these surface states. Consistent with this, magnetotransport measurements display weak antilocalization, establishing TaSb$_2$ as a platform for spin-polarized topological transport on a weakly topological surface.