A metallic surface state with uniaxial spin polarization on Tl/Ge(111)-(1 × 1).
We show that a metallic surface state is formed on Tl/Ge(111)-(1 × 1). The surface state forms electron pockets around K of the surface Brillouin zone. A first-principles calculation reveals that the electron pockets are composed of a single branch of a spin-split surface-state band. The spin quantization axis is along the surface normal and inverts according to the time-reversal symmetry. Since this spin-split branch is the unique metallic band on this surface, the surface conductivity should be governed by this spin-split branch, suggesting a possible spin-polarized electric current.
Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
Y
Y
Ohtsubo
S
S
Hatta
H
H
Okuyama
T
T
Aruga
D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D005857:Germanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D013113:Spin Labels; D013499:Surface Properties; D013793:Thallium / Q000737:chemistry*
D013113:Spin Labels; D005857:Germanium; D013793:Thallium