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arXiv · 1704.05161

3D nature of ZrTe$_5$ band structure measured by high-momentum-resolution photoemission spectroscopy

H. Xiong·J. A. Sobota·S. -L. Yang·H. Soifer·A. Gauthier·M. -H. Lu·Y. -Y. Lv·S. -H. Yao·D. Lu·M. Hashimoto·P. S. Kirchmann·Y. -F. Chen·Z. -X. Shen
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Abstract

We have performed a systematic high-momentum-resolution photoemission study on ZrTe$_5$ using $6$ eV photon energy. We have measured the band structure near the $\Gamma$ point, and quantified the gap between the conduction and valence band as $18 \leq \Delta \leq 29$ meV. We have also observed photon-energy-dependent behavior attributed to final-state effects and the 3D nature of the material's band structure. Our interpretation indicates the gap is intrinsic and reconciles discrepancies on the existence of a topological surface state reported by different studies. The existence of a gap suggests that ZrTe$_5$ is not a 3D strong topological insulator nor a 3D Dirac semimetal. Therefore, our experiment is consistent with ZrTe$_5$ being a 3D weak topological insulator.

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H. Xiong, J. A. Sobota, S. -L. Yang, H. Soifer, A. Gauthier, M. -H. Lu, Y. -Y. Lv, S. -H. Yao, D. Lu, M. Hashimoto, P. S. Kirchmann, Y. -F. Chen, Z. -X. Shen. 2017-04-18. 3D nature of ZrTe$_5$ band structure measured by high-momentum-resolution photoemission spectroscopy. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.95.195119

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