Coexistence of Ferroelectriclike Polarization and Dirac-like Surface State in TaNiTe_{5}

Phys Rev Lett. 2022 Mar 11;128(10):106802. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.128.106802.

Abstract

By combining angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy, atomic force microscope based piezoresponse force microscopy and first-principles calculations, we have studied the low-energy band structure, atomic structure, and charge polarization on the surface of a topological semimetal candidate TaNiTe_{5}. Dirac-like surface states were observed on the (010) surface by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, consistent with the first-principles calculations. On the other hand, piezoresponse force microscopy reveals a switchable ferroelectriclike polarization on the same surface. We propose that the noncentrosymmetric surface relaxation observed by scanning tunneling microscopy could be the origin of the observed ferroelectriclike state in this novel material. Our findings provide a new platform with the coexistence of a ferroelectriclike surface charge distribution and novel surface states.