Strong spin-orbit splitting on Bi surfaces

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that spin-orbit interaction causes significant splitting of surface state bands on bismuth surfaces, affecting electronic properties and potential spintronics applications.

Contribution

It provides first-principles calculations and experimental evidence showing strong spin-orbit splitting on Bi surfaces, revealing profound modifications in surface electronic structures.

Findings

Strong spin-orbit splitting observed on Bi surfaces

Surface states and Fermi surfaces are significantly altered

Implications for surface charge density waves and spintronics

Abstract

Using first-principles calculations and angle-resolved photoemission, we show that the spin-orbit interaction leads to a strong splitting of the surface state bands on low-index surfaces of Bi. The dispersion of the states and the corresponding Fermi surfaces are profoundly modified in the whole surface Brillouin zone. We discuss the implications of these findings with respect to a proposed surface charge density wave on Bi(111) as well as to the surface screening, surface spin-density waves, electron (hole) dynamics in surface states, and to possible applications to the spintronics.