Moir\'e surface states and enhanced superconductivity in topological insulators

Abstract

Recently, moir\'e superlattices have been found on the surface of topological insulators (TI) due to the rotational misalignment of topmost layers. In this work, we study the effects of moir\'e superlattices on the topological surface states using a continuum model of Dirac electrons moving in a periodic potential. Unlike twisted bilayer graphene, moir\'e surface states cannot host isolated bands due to their topological nature. Instead, we find (high-order) van Hove singularities (VHS) in the moir\'e band structure that give rise to divergent density of states (DOS) and enhance interaction effects. Due to spin-momentum locking in moir\'e surface states, possible interaction channels are limited. In the presence of phonon mediated attraction, superconductivity is strongly enhanced by the power-law divergent DOS at high-order VHS. The transition temperature $T_c$ exhibits a power-law dependence on the retarded electron-phonon interaction strength $\lambda^*$. This enhancement is found to be robust under various perturbations from the high-order VHS.