Physics – Condensed Matter – Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Scientific paper
2010-02-06
Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 166603 (2010)
Physics
Condensed Matter
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
5 pages, 4 figures
Scientific paper
Several small-bandgap semiconductors are now known to have protected metallic surface states as a consequence of the topology of the bulk electron wavefunctions. The known "topological insulators" with this behavior include the important thermoelectric materials Bi_2Te_3 and Bi_2Se_3, whose surfaces are observed in photoemission experiments to have an unusual electronic structure with a single Dirac cone. We study in-plane (i.e., horizontal) transport in thin films made of these materials. The surface states from top and bottom surfaces hybridize, and conventional diffusive transport predicts that the tunable hybridization-induced band gap leads to increased thermoelectric performance at low temperatures. Beyond simple diffusive transport, the conductivity shows a crossover from the spin-orbit induced anti-localization at a single surface to ordinary localization.
Ghaemi Pouyan
Mong Roger
Moore Joel E.
No associations
LandOfFree
In-plane transport and enhanced thermoelectric performance in thin films of the topological insulators Bi_2Te_3 and Bi_2Se_3 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with In-plane transport and enhanced thermoelectric performance in thin films of the topological insulators Bi_2Te_3 and Bi_2Se_3, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and In-plane transport and enhanced thermoelectric performance in thin films of the topological insulators Bi_2Te_3 and Bi_2Se_3 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-636023