Topological surface states on Bi$_{1-x}$Sb$_x$: Dependence on surface orientation, surface termination and stability

Abstract

Topological insulators support metallic surface states whose existence is protected by the bulk band structure. It has been predicted early that the topology of the surface state Fermi contour should depend on several factors, such as the surface orientation and termination and this raises the question to what degree a given surface state is protected by the bulk electronic structure upon structural changes. Using tight-binding calculations, we explore this question for the prototypical topological insulator Bi$_{1-x}$Sb$_x$, studying different terminations of the (111) and (110) surfaces. We also consider the implications of the topological protection for the (110) surfaces for the semimetals Bi and Sb