Tuning Dirac-Rashba and Double Dirac Cone Surface States of Topological Crystalline Insulator Pb$_{1-x}$Sn$_{x}$Se by Transition Metal Adsorbate

Abstract

The electronic structure of topological insulator/magnetic metal (TI/MM) interfaces is of great importance for understanding of exotic spin-dependent phenomena and realization of advanced spin-orbitronic devices. Here, we employ a model system of submonolayer transition metal (TM) deposited on the surface of a topological crystalline insulator (TCI) of Pb$_{1-x}$Sn$_{x}$Se to systematically map out the modification of the surface electronic structure by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) as a function of coverage. For the polar (111) Pb$_{1-x}$Sn$_{x}$Se surface, we observe the coexistence of the Dirac topological surface states (TSS) and Rashba-split surface states (RSS) induced by the combined effects of inversion-symmetry breaking, surface band bending and orbital angular momentum effects. In particular, we demonstrate very large Rashba splittings can be obtained and the Rashba parameter ($α_R$) can be tuned over a remarkably wide range from 0 to 3.5 eV ${\cdot}$ $\mathring{\mathrm{A}}$, depending on the type and coverage of the TM adatoms. Model-Hamiltonian calculations corroborate the experimental findings and reveal that this coexistence results from the filling of the TSS by the surface doping caused by the TM. In contrast, for the nonpolar (001) surface exhibiting a double Dirac cone topological surface state, the inversion symmetry is preserved and hence no Rashba-split surface states emerge. Instead, surface charge imbalance induces dephasing of the wave functions of the double Dirac cones that diminishes the momentum-space separation between them. These findings shed light on novel phenomena occurring at the topological insulator / transition metal interface, offering a versatile platform for future spintronic and quantum devices.