Dimensional Crossover and Topological Phase Transition in Dirac Semimetal Na3Bi Films

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) topological Dirac semimetal, when thinned down to 2D few layers, is expected to possess gapped Dirac nodes via quantum confinement effect and concomitantly display the intriguing quantum spin Hall (QSH) insulator phase. However, the 3D-to-2D crossover and the associated topological phase transition, which is valuable for understanding the topological quantum phases, remain unexplored. Here, we synthesize high-quality Na3Bi thin films with R3*R3 reconstruction on graphene, and systematically characterize their thickness-dependent electronic and topological properties by scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy in combination with first-principles calculations. We demonstrate that Dirac gaps emerge in Na3Bi films, providing spectroscopic evidences of dimensional crossover from a 3D semimetal to a 2D topological insulator. Importantly, the Dirac gaps are revealed to be of sizable magnitudes on 3 and 4 monolayers (72 and 65 meV, respectively) with topologically nontrivial edge states. Moreover, the Fermi energy of a Na3Bi film can be tuned via certain growth process, thus offering a viable way for achieving charge neutrality in transport. The feasibility of controlling Dirac gap opening and charge neutrality enables realizing intrinsic high-temperature QSH effect in Na3Bi films and achieving potential applications in topological devices.

arXiv comment28 pages, 4 figures

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• Progress in epitaxial thin-film Na3Bi as a topological electronic material
• Realization of a one-dimensional topological insulator in ultrathin germanene nanoribbons
• Epitaxial Growth of Quasi-One-Dimensional Bismuth-Halide Chains with Topological Non-Trivial Edge States
• Importance of interactions for the band structure of the topological Dirac semimetal Na3Bi
• Strong electron-phonon coupling in 3D tungsten nitride and coexistence of intrinsic superconductivity and topological nodal line in its 2D limit
• Dominant two-dimensional electron-phonon interactions in the bulk Dirac semimetal Na3Bi