Anomalous thermal expansion of Sb$_2$Te$_3$ topological insulator

Abstract

We have investigated the temperature dependence of the linear thermal expansion along the hexagonal c axis ($\Delta L$), in-plane resistivity ($\rho$), and specific heat ($C_p$) of the topological insulator Sb$_2$Te$_3$ single crystal. $\Delta L$ exhibits a clear anomaly in the temperature region 204-236 K. The coefficient of linear thermal expansion $\alpha$ decreases rapidly above 204 K, passes through a deep minimum at around 225 K and then increases abruptly in the region 225-236 K. $\alpha$ is negative in the interval 221-228 K. The temperature dependence of both $\alpha$ and $C_p$ can be described well by the Debye model from 2 to 290 K, excluding the region around the anomaly in $\alpha$.