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    Quantum confinement effect in Sb thin films

    Anuradha Wijesinghe1,*, Yongxi Ou2,3,*, Anjali Rathore1, Chandima Kasun Edirisinghe1, Pradip Adhikari1, An-Hsi Chen4, Dustin Gilbert5, Anthony Richardella2, Nitin Samarth2 et al.

    Joon Sue Lee1,†

    • *These authors contributed equally to this work.
    • †Contact author: jslee@utk.edu

    Phys. Rev. Materials 10, 014204 – Published 12 January, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/4ntn-9pgf

    Abstract

    Antimony (Sb), an element with strong spin-orbit coupling, is predicted to undergo a topological phase transition from a topological semimetal to a topological insulator as its dimensionality approaches the two-dimensional limit, driven by the quantum confinement effect. In this study, we investigate this transition in Sb thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy, employing electrical transport measurements and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). Electrical transport measurements revealed signatures of a modified electronic band structure, including a Hall response with multiple carrier types, a decreasing carrier concentration, and a transition in the curvature of the longitudinal resistance from quadratic to linear with decreasing film thickness. Temperature-dependent magnetoresistance further showed weak antilocalization below 16 K, indicating strong spin-orbit coupling and suggesting the presence of nontrivial topological states. Analysis of the WAL characteristics revealed a single coherent conducting channel and a thickness-dependent change in the phase decoherence mechanism. Complementary ARPES measurements confirmed that reducing the film thickness lifts the conduction band at the M point, consistent with the emergence of a band gap. These findings support theoretical predictions of a thickness-dependent band structure evolution driven by the quantum confinement effect, providing a foundation for further exploration of topological phase transitions in Sb as well as Bi1–xSbx. The realization of an elemental topological material with simplified stoichiometry and semiconductor compatibility presents a promising avenue for next-generation hybrid systems and applications in spintronics and quantum technologies.

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