S. V. Chernov

Spin Mapping of Surface and Bulk Rashba States in Ferroelectric a-GeTe(111) Films

The breaking of bulk inversion symmetry in ferroelectric semiconductors causes a Rashba-type spin splitting of electronic bulk bands. This is shown by a comprehensive mapping of the spin polarization of the electronic bands in ferroelectric α- GeTe(111) films using a time-of-flight momentum microscope equipped with an imaging spin filter that enables a simultaneous measurement of more than 10 000 data points. The experiment reveals an opposite spin helicity of the inner and outer Rashba bands with a different spin polarization in agreement with theoretical predictions, confirming a complex spin texture of bulk Rashba states. The outer band has about twice larger spin polarization than the inner one, giving evidence of a spin-orbit effect being related to the orbital composition of the band states. The switchable inner electric field of GeTe implies new functionalities for spintronic devices.

Anomalous d-like surface resonances on Mo(110) analyzed by time-of-flight momentum microscopy.

The electronic surface states on Mo(110) have been investigated using time-of-flight momentum microscopy with synchrotron radiation (hν=35 eV). This novel angle-resolved photoemission approach yields a simultaneous acquisition of the E-vs-k spectral function in the full surface Brillouin zone and several eV energy interval. (kx,ky,EB)-maps with 3.4 Å(-1) diameter reveal a rich structure of d-like surface resonances in the spin-orbit induced partial band gap. Calculations using the one-step model in its density matrix formulation predict an anomalous state with Dirac-like signature and Rashba spin texture crossing the bandgap at Γ¯ and EB=1.2 eV. The experiment shows that the linear dispersion persists away from the Γ¯-point in an extended energy- and k∥-range. Analogously to a similar state previously found on W(110) the dispersion is linear along H¯-Γ¯-H¯ and almost zero along N¯-Γ¯-N¯. The similarity is surprising since the spin-orbit interaction is 5 times smaller in Mo. A second point with unusual topology is found midway between Γ¯ and N¯. Band symmetries are probed by linear dichroism.

Direct 3D mapping of the Fermi surface and Fermi velocity

We performed a full mapping of the bulk electronic structure including the Fermi surface and Fermi-velocity distribution vF(kF) of tungsten. The 4D spectral function ρ(EB; k) in the entire bulk Brillouin zone and 6 eV binding-energy (EB) interval was acquired in ∼3 h thanks to a new multidimensional photoemission data-recording technique (combining full-field k-microscopy with time-of-flight parallel energy recording) and the high brilliance of the soft X-rays used. A direct comparison of bulk and surface spectral functions (taken at low photon energies) reveals a time-reversal-invariant surface state in a local bandgap in the (110)-projected bulk band structure. The surface state connects hole and electron pockets that would otherwise be separated by an indirect local bandgap. We confirmed its Dirac-like spin texture by spin-filtered momentum imaging. The measured 4D data array enables extraction of the 3D dispersion of all bands, all energy isosurfaces, electron velocities, hole or electron conductivity, effective mass and inner potential by simple algorithms without approximations. The high-Z bcc metals with large spin-orbit-induced bandgaps are discussed as candidates for topologically non-trivial surface states.

Spin texture of time-reversal symmetry invariant surface states on W(110)

We find in the case of W(110) previously overlooked anomalous surface states having their spin locked at right angle to their momentum using spin-resolved momentum microscopy. In addition to the well known Dirac-like surface state with Rashba spin texture near the -point, we observe a tilted Dirac cone with circularly shaped cross section and a Dirac crossing at 0.28 ×   within the projected bulk band gap of tungsten. This state has eye-catching similarities to the spin-locked surface state of a topological insulator. The experiments are fortified by a one-step photoemission calculation in its density-matrix formulation.

Multi-MHz time-of-flight electronic bandstructure imaging of graphene on Ir(111)

In the quest for detailed spectroscopic insight into the electronic structure at solid surfaces in a large momentum range, we have developed an advanced experimental approach. It combines the 3D detection scheme of a time-of-flight momentum microscope with an optimized filling pattern of the BESSY II storage ring. Here, comprehensive data sets covering the full surface Brillouin zone have been used to study faint substrate-film hybridization effects in the electronic structure of graphene on Ir(111), revealed by a pronounced linear dichroism in angular distribution. The method paves the way to 3D electronic bandmapping with unprecedented data recording efficiency.

Morphological and magnetic analysis of Fe nanostructures on W(110) by using scanning tunneling microscopy and Lorentz microscopy

We investigated morphological features and magnetic properties of epitaxial Fe nanostructures (films, stripes and nanoparticles) on a W(110) surface with monoatomic steps preferentially along the direction. The nanostructures were prepared in ultra-high vacuum by using electron-beam evaporation and subsequent annealing at different temperatures. Scanning tunneling microscopy measurements in-situ revealed elongated Fe nanostructures with aspect ratios of up to . The observable shape and orientation (along or perpendicular to the monoatomic steps of the substrate) of the nanostructures depended substantially on the preparation parameters. By capping the system with 7 monolayers of Pt, the magnetic properties of selected Fe nanostructures could be analyzed ex-situ using Lorentz microscopy revealing diversified results. Depending on the size and shape, different magnetization structures, such as single domain, two domains and vortex, were observed. A precise intensity profile analysis demonstrated that the magnetic field values of different magnetic structures are close to each other and equal 2.4 T.

Transmission electron microscopy investigation of oxidation of (110)NiAl single crystal with wedge-shaped profile

Low energy electron diffraction (LEED), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) investigations of oxidation processes in (110)NiAl single crystal of wedge like shape, i.e., on the samples areas of different thickness, were carried out. It was found that in the result of several cycles of ion etching, annealing and oxidation the upper layer of (110)NiAl is enriched with Ni. With the increase of Ni concentration from 50 to 100 at. %, the stoichiometry of the near surface area changes and the new phases of Ni3Al and Ni with Al doping are formed one after another. Up to Ni content of 75 at. % the defects concentration in the near-surface area increases and above 75 at. % it drops again. This leads to the change in orientation and azimuth direction of aluminum oxide (alumina). By varying the conditions of γ-Al2O3 epitaxial growth on (110)NiAl with (100), (110), and (111) orientations, we found that this oxide can be grown with different azimuthal directions, for example [440](111)γ-Al2O3 ∥ [002](110)NiAl and [440](111)γ-Al2O3 ∥ [022](110)NiAl.