Abstract

In the recent past, MnTe has proven to be a crucial component of the intrinsic magnetic topological insulator (IMTI) family [MnTe]_m[Bi2Te₃]_n, which hosts a wide range of magneto-topological properties depending on the choice of m and n. However, bulk crystal growth allows only a few combinations of m and n for these IMTIs due to the strict limitations of the thermodynamic growth conditions. One way to overcome this challenge is to utilize atomic layer-by-layer molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) technique, which allows arbitrary sequences of [MnTe]m and [Bi₂Te₃]_n to be formed beyond the thermodynamic limit. For such MBE growth, finding optimal growth templates and conditions for the parent building block, MnTe, is a key requirement. Here, we report that two different hexagonal phases of MnTe - nickeline (NC) and zinc-blende/wurtzite (ZB-WZ) structures, with distinct in-plane lattice constants of 4.20 ± 0.04 Å and 4.39 ± 0.04 Å, respectively - can be selectively grown on c-plane Al₂O₃ substrates using different buffer layers and growth temperatures. Moreover, we provide the first comparative studies of different MnTe phases using atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy and show that ZB and WZ-like stacking sequences can easily alternate between the two. Surprisingly, In₂Se₃ buffer layer, despite itsmore » lattice constant (4.02 Å) being closer to that of the NC phase, fosters the ZB-WZ instead, whereas Bi₂Te₃, sharing the same lattice constant (4.39 Å) with the ZB-WZ phase, fosters the NC phase. Furthermore, these discoveries suggest that lattice matching is not always the most critical factor determining the preferred phase during epitaxial growth. Overall, this will deepen our understanding of epitaxial growth modes for chalcogenide materials and accelerate progress toward new IMTI phases as well as other magneto-topological applications.« less

Authors:

Jain, Deepti  ^[1];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0001-7226-9787"

Yi, Hee Taek  ^[1];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-8998-7774"

Mazza, Alessandro R.  ^[2];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-7206-1334"

Kisslinger, Kim ^[3]; Han, Myung-Geun  ^[3];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-3736-3281"

Brahlek, Matthew  ^[4];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0003-2900-0648"

Oh, Seongshik  ^[1]

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0003-1681-516X"

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Rutgers Univ., Piscataway, NJ (United States)
2. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
3. Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
4. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Publication Date:

Wed Jan 24 00:00:00 EST 2024

Research Org.:

Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division (MSE); US Army Research Office (ARO); National Science Foundation (NSF)

OSTI Identifier:

2324873

Report Number(s):

BNL-225397-2024-JAAM
Journal ID: ISSN 2475-9953

Grant/Contract Number:  

SC0012704; W911NF2010108; MURI W911NF2020166; DMR2004125

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Physical Review Materials

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 8; Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 2475-9953

Publisher:

American Physical Society (APS)

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE