Quantum-size induced giant spin-orbit splitting

POSTER

Abstract

We report on the observation of a giant spin-orbit splitting of quantum-well states in the unoccupied electronic structure of a Bi monolayer on Cu(111). Up to now, Rashba-type splittings of this size have been reported exclusively for surface states in a partial bandgap. With these quantum-well states we have experimentally identified a second -- and broader -- class of states that show a huge spin-orbit splitting. First-principle electronic structure calculations show that the origin of the spin-orbit splitting is due to the perpendicular potential at the surface and interface of the ultrathin Bi film. This finding allows for the direct possibility to tailor spin-orbit splitting by means of thin film nanofabrication.

Authors

  • S. Mathias

    • JILA and Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
    • JILA, University of Colorado and NIST, Boulder, Colorado

  • A. Ruffing

    • University of Kaiserslautern and Research Center OPTIMAS, Kaiserslautern, Germany

  • F. Deicke

    • University of Kaiserslautern and Research Center OPTIMAS, Kaiserslautern, Germany

  • I. Sakar

    • University of Kaiserslautern and Research Center OPTIMAS, Kaiserslautern, Germany

  • M. Aeschlimann

    • University of Kaiserslautern and Research Center OPTIMAS, Kaiserslautern, Germany

  • M. Wiesenmayer

  • M. Bauer

    • IEAP, Universitaet Kiel, Kiel, Germany

  • G. Bihlmayer

    • Institut fuer Festkoerperforschung and Institute for Advanced Simulation, FZ Juelich, Juelich, Germany

  • Y.M. Koroteev

    • Institute of Strength Physics and Materials Science, Tomsk, Russia

  • E.V. Chulkov

  • P.M. Echenique

    • DIPC, San Sebastian, Spain and CSIC-UPV/EHU San Sebastian, Spain