Experimental determination of the topological phase diagram in cerium monopnictides

DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.120.086402

Authors: K. Kuroda (University of Tokyo) , M. Ochi (Osaka University) , H. s. Suzuki (University of Tokyo; National Institute for Materials Science) , M. Hirayama (University of Tokyo) , M. Nakayama (University of Tokyo) , R. Noguchi (University of Tokyo) , C. Bareille (University of Tokyo) , S. Akebi (University of Tokyo) , S. Kunisada (University of Tokyo) , T. Muro (Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI)) , M. D. Watson (Diamond Light Source) , H. Kitazawa (National Institute for Materials Science) , Y. Haga (Japan Atomic Energy Agency) , T. K. Kim (Diamond Light Source) , M. Hoesch (Diamond Light Source) , S. Shin (University of Tokyo) , R. Arita (RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS)) , T. Kondo (University of Tokyo)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Physical Review Letters , VOL 120

State: Published (Approved)
Published: February 2018
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 16161

Abstract: Experimental determinations of bulk band topology in the solid states have been so far restricted to only indirect investigation through the probing of surface states predicted by electronic structure calculations. We here present an alternative approach to determine the band topology by means of bulk-sensitive soft x-ray angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. We investigate the bulk electronic structures of the series materials, Ce monopnictides (CeP, CeAs, CeSb, and CeBi). By performing a paradigmatic study of the band structures as a function of their spin-orbit coupling, we draw the topological phase diagram and unambiguously reveal the topological phase transition from a trivial to a nontrivial regime in going from CeP to CeBi induced by the band inversion. The underlying mechanism of the phase transition is elucidated in terms of spin-orbit coupling in concert with their semimetallic band structures. Our comprehensive observations provide a new insight into the band topology hidden in the bulk states.

Journal Keywords: Electronic structure; Phase transitions; Topological insulators; Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

Subject Areas: Physics, Materials


Instruments: I05-ARPES

Added On: 20/03/2018 13:50

Discipline Tags:

Quantum Materials Physics Hard condensed matter - structures Materials Science

Technical Tags:

Spectroscopy Angle Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy (ARPES)