Spin-conserving and reversing photoemission from the surface states of Bi$_2$Se$_3$ and Au (111)

Abstract

We present a theory based on first-principles calculations explaining (i) why the tunability of spin polarizations of photoelectrons from Bi$_2$Se$_3$ (111) depends on the band index and Bloch wavevector of the surface state and (ii) why such tunability is absent in the case of isosymmetric Au (111). The results provide not only an explanation for the recent, puzzling experimental observations but also a guide toward making highly-tunable spin-polarized electron sources from topological insulators.