Electronic structure of the crystal surface, studied by micro-focused photoemission spectroscopy
Phys. Rev. Materials 9, 095001 – Published 2 September, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/5cpd-ll33
Abstract
We have performed a comprehensive electronic characterization of the needle-like single crystal metal boride, prepared by cleavage, characterized using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with a microfocused beam. Our findings reveal the three-dimensional (3D) band structure of , with band dispersions closely aligning with the first-principles calculations, confirming it is a topologically trivial insulator with a narrow band gap. Furthermore, a new metallic surface band was observed after cleavage, likely due to a space charge layer of the electron accumulation type. This study highlights the pivotal role of surface phenomena in shaping the electronic structure of and provides insights into the interplay between bulk and surface states, offering a path for exploring its potential applications in surface-sensitive technologies.