title: Topological surface state enhanced photothermoelectric effect in Bi2Se3 nanoribbons.
abstract: The photothermoelectric effect in topological insulator Bi2Se3 nanoribbons is studied. The topological surface states are excited to be spin-polarized by circularly polarized light. Because the direction of the electron spin is locked to its momentum for the spin-helical surface states, the photothermoelectric effect is significantly enhanced as the oriented motions of the polarized spins are accelerated by the temperature gradient. The results are explained based on the microscopic mechanisms of a photon induced spin transition from the surface Dirac cone to the bulk conduction band. The as-reported enhanced photothermoelectric effect is expected to have potential applications in a spin-polarized power source.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for Mesoscopic Physics, Department of Physics and ∥International Center for Quantum Materials, Peking University , Beijing 100871, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Zhi-Min
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Xiaoxing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ke
authors.forename: Gustaaf
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Van Tendeloo
authors.forename: Qinsheng
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Shuyun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Han-Chun
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Da-Peng
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Yu