A Helium-Surface Interaction Potential of Bi$_2$Te$_3$(111) from Ultrahigh-Resolution Spin-Echo Measurements


Abstract in English

We have determined an atom-surface interaction potential for the He$-$Bi$_2$Te$_3$(111) system by analysing ultrahigh resolution measurements of selective adsorption resonances. The experimental measurements were obtained using $^3$He spin-echo spectrometry. Following an initial free-particle model analysis, we use elastic close-coupling calculations to obtain a three-dimensional potential. The three-dimensional potential is then further refined based on the experimental data set, giving rise to an optimised potential which fully reproduces the experimental data. Based on this analysis, the He$-$Bi$_2$Te$_3$(111) interaction potential can be described by a corrugated Morse potential with a well depth $D=(6.22pm0.05)~mathrm{meV}$, a stiffness $kappa =(0.92pm0.01)~mathrm{AA}^{-1}$ and a surface electronic corrugation of $(9.6pm0.2)$% of the lattice constant. The improved uncertainties of the atom-surface interaction potential should also enable the use in inelastic close-coupled calculations in order to eventually study the temperature dependence and the line width of selective adsorption resonances.

Download