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

Sci Rep. 2016 Jul 12:6:29394. doi: 10.1038/srep29394.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't