Photoemission Spectroscopy of Magnetic and Non-magnetic Impurities on the Surface of the Bi$_2$Se$_3$ Topological Insulator

Abstract

Dirac-like surface states on surfaces of topological insulators have a chiral spin structure that suppresses back-scattering and protects the coherence of these states in the presence of non-magnetic scatterers. In contrast, magnetic scatterers should open the back- scattering channel via the spin-flip processes and degrade the state's coherence. We present angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy studies of the electronic structure and the scattering rates upon adsorption of various magnetic and non-magnetic impurities on the surface of Bi$_2$Se$_3$, a model topological insulator. We reveal a remarkable insensitivity of the topological surface state to both non-magnetic and magnetic impurities in the low impurity concentration regime. Scattering channels open up with the emergence of hexagonal warping in the high-doping regime, irrespective of the impurity's magnetic moment.