Superconductivity and Non-Metallicity Induced by Doping the Topological Insulators Bi₂Se₃ and Bi₂Te₃

Author

Yew San Hor, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Joseph G. Checkelsky
Dongxia Qu
Naiphuan Ong
Robert Joseph Cava

Abstract

We show that by Ca doping the Bi₂Se₃ topological insulator, the Fermi level can be fine tuned to fall inside the band gap and therefore suppresses the bulk conductivity. Non-metallic Bi₂Se₃ crystals are obtained. On the other hand, the Bi₂Se₃ topological insulator can also be induced to become a bulk superconductor, with T_c~3.8 K, by copper intercalation in the van der Waals gaps between the Bi₂Se₃ layers. Likewise, an as-grown crystal of metallic Bi₂Te₃ can be turned into a non-metallic crystal by slight variation in the Te content. The Bi₂Te₃ topological insulator shows small amounts of superconductivity with T_c~5.5 K when reacted with Pd to form materials of the type Pd_zBi₂Te₃.

Recommended Citation

Y. S. Hor et al., "Superconductivity and Non-Metallicity Induced by Doping the Topological Insulators Bi₂Se₃ and Bi₂Te₃," Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, vol. 72, no. 5, pp. 572 - 576, Elsevier, May 2011.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpcs.2010.10.027

Department(s)

Physics

Keywords and Phrases

Crystal Growth; Electric Insulators; Semiconductor Doping; Superconducting Materials; Superconductivity; Surface Properties; Transport Properties; Van Der Waals Forces; Semiconducting Selenium Compounds

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0022-3697

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2011 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 May 2011