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Chemical Potential Fluctuations in Topological Insulator (Bi$_{0.5}$Sb$_{0.5}$)$_2$Te$_3$ Films Visualized by Photocurrent Spectroscopy

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 نشر من قبل Paul Seifert
 تاريخ النشر 2015
  مجال البحث فيزياء
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We investigate the photocurrent properties of the topological insulator (Bi$_{0.5}$Sb$_{0.5}$)$_2$Te$_3$ on SrTiO$_3$-substrates. We find reproducible, submicron photocurrent patterns generated by long-range chemical potential fluctuations, occurring predominantly at the topological insulator/substrate interface. We fabricate nano-plowed constrictions which comprise single potential fluctuations. Hereby, we can quantify the magnitude of the disorder potential to be in the meV range. The results further suggest a dominating photo-thermoelectric current generated in the surface states in such nanoscale constrictions.



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