Electron-phonon coupling in topological surface states: The role of polar optical modes.

ABSTRACT: The use of topological edge states for spintronic applications could be severely hampered by limited lifetimes due to intrinsic many-body interactions, in particular electron-phonon coupling. Previous works to determine the intrinsic coupling strength did not provide a coherent answer. Here, the electron-phonon interaction in the metallic surface state of 3D topological insulators is revised within a first principles framework. For the archetypical cases of Bi₂Se₃ and Bi₂Te₃, we find an overall weak coupling constant of less than 0.15, but with a characteristic energy dependence. Derived electronic self-energies compare favorably with previous angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy results. The prevailing coupling is carried by optical modes o

SUBMITTER: Heid R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5430646 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature