Mapping the Dirac fermions in intrinsic antiferromagnetic topological insulators (MnBi2Te4)(Bi2Te3)n (n=0, 1)
Abstract
Topological surface states with intrinsic magnetic ordering in the MnBi2Te4(Bi2Te3)n compounds have been predicted to host rich topological phenomena including quantized anomalous Hall effect and axion insulator state. Here we use scanning tunneling microscopy to image the surface Dirac fermions in MnBi2Te4 and MnBi4Te7. We have determined the energy dispersion and helical spin texture of the surface states through quasiparticle interference patterns far above Dirac energy, which confirms its topological nature. Approaching the Dirac point, the native defects in the MnBi2Te4 septuple layer give rise to resonance states which extend spatially and potentially hinder the detection of a mass gap in the spectra. Our results demonstrate that regulating defects is essential to realize exotic topological states at higher temperatures in these compounds.