Abstract
We report that the finite thickness of three-dimensional topological insulator (TI) thin films produces an observable magnetoresistance (MR) in phase coherent transport in parallel magnetic fields. The MR data of Bi 2Se3 and (Bi1-xSbx) 2Te3 thin films are compared with existing theoretical models of parallel field magnetotransport. We conclude that the TI thin films bring parallel field transport into a unique regime in which the coupling of surface states to bulk and to opposite surfaces is indispensable for understanding the observed MR. The β parameter extracted from parallel field MR can in principle provide a figure of merit for searching TI compounds with more insulating bulk than existing materials.
| Original language | English |
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| Article number | 041307 |
| Journal | Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics |
| Volume | 88 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 22 Jul 2013 |
| Externally published | Yes |