Insulating behavior in ultra-low carrier density Bismuth Selenide single crystals

ORAL

Abstract

The topological insulator material Bi$_2$Se$_3$ is well known to suffer from a non-insulating bulk due to doping caused by selenium vacancies. We present results on the synthesis and characterization of pure undoped Bi$_2$Se$_3$ crystals that exhibit nonmetallic transport behavior over the entire measured temperature range, from room temperature down to at least 2 K. Measurements of longitudinal transport and Hall effect are used to characterize the transport temperature and magnetic field dependences, carrier sign and density, and sensitivity to air exposure.

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Authors

  • Paul Syers

    • University of Maryland
    • Department of Physics, University of Maryland

  • Johnpierre Paglione

    • Center for Nanophysics and Advanced Materials, Department of Physics, University of Maryland-College Park
    • Ceter for Nanophysics and Advanced Materials, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
    • University of Maryland
    • Department of Physics, University of Maryland
    • Center for Nanophysics and Advanced Materials, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
    • Center for Nanophysics and Advanced Materials, Dept. of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park