Graduation Semester and Year

2014

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Physics and Applied Physics

Department

Physics

First Advisor

Alexander H Weiss

Abstract

We describe experiments aimed at probing the sticking of positrons to the surfaces of topological insulators performed at university of Texas at Arlington using the Positron Annihilation induced Auger electron Spectrometer. A magnetically guided beam was used to deposit positrons at the surface of Bi₂Te₂Se sample at energy of ~2eV. Peaks observed in the energy spectra and intensities of electrons emitted as a result of positron annihilation showed peaks at energies corresponding to Auger peaks in Bi and Te providing clear evidence of Auger emission associated with the annihilation of positrons in a surface bound state. Theoretical estimates of the binding energy of this state are compared with estimates obtained by measuring the incident beam energy threshold for secondary electron emission and the temperature dependence positronium emission. The experiments provide strong evidence for the existence of a positron bound state at the surface of Bi2Te2Se and indicate the practicality of using positron annihilation to selectively probe the critically important top most layer of topological insulator system.

Disciplines

Physical Sciences and Mathematics | Physics

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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