Signatures of charge inhomogeneities in the infrared spectra of topological insulators Bi2Se3, Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3

We present the results of an infrared spectroscopy study of topological insulators Bi2Se3, Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3. Reflectance spectra of all three materials look similar, with a well defined plasma edge. However, there are some important differences. Most notably, as temperature decreases the plasma edg...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of physics. Condensed matter 2013-02, Vol.25 (7), p.075501-075501
Main Authors: Dordevic, S V, Wolf, M S, Stojilovic, N, Lei, Hechang, Petrovic, C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antimony - chemistry
Bismuth - chemistry
Collective effects
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties
Electric Conductivity
Electron states
Exact sciences and technology
Exchange, correlation, dielectric and magnetic functions, plasmons
Infrared and raman spectra and scattering
Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation
Other nonmetallic inorganics
Physics
Selenium - chemistry
Spectrophotometry, Infrared
Static Electricity
Tellurium - chemistry
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Summary:We present the results of an infrared spectroscopy study of topological insulators Bi2Se3, Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3. Reflectance spectra of all three materials look similar, with a well defined plasma edge. However, there are some important differences. Most notably, as temperature decreases the plasma edge shifts to lower frequencies in Bi2Se3, whereas in Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3 it shifts to higher frequencies. In the loss function spectra we identify asymmetric broadening of the plasmon, and assign it to the presence of charge inhomogeneities. It remains to be seen if charge inhomogeneities are characteristic of all topological insulators, and whether they are of intrinsic or extrinsic nature.
ISSN:0953-8984
1361-648X
DOI:10.1088/0953-8984/25/7/075501