RESUMEN
Topological insulators are a new class of materials that support topologically protected electronic surface states. Potential applications of the surface states in low dissipation electronic devices have motivated efforts to create nanoscale samples with large surface-to-volume ratios and highly controlled stoichiometry. Se vacancies in Bi(2)Se(3) give rise to bulk conduction, which masks the transport properties of the surface states. We have therefore developed a new route for the synthesis of topological insulator nanostructures using metalorganic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD). MOCVD allows control of the Se/Bi flux ratio during growth. With the aim of rational growth, we vary the Se/Bi flux ratio, growth time, and substrate temperature, and observe morphological changes which indicate a growth regime in which nanoribbon formation is limited by the Bi precursor mass flow. MOCVD growth of Bi(2)Se(3) nanostructures occurs via a distinct growth mechanism that is nucleated by gold nanoparticles at the base of the nanoribbon. By tuning the reaction conditions, we obtain either single-crystalline ribbons up to 10 µm long or thin micron-sized platelets.
RESUMEN
We characterize nanostructures of Bi(2)Se(3) that are grown via metal-organic chemical vapor deposition using the precursors diethyl selenium and trimethyl bismuth. By adjusting growth parameters, we obtain either single-crystalline ribbons up to 10 µm long or thin micrometer-sized platelets. Four-terminal resistance measurements yield a sample resistivity of 4 mΩ·cm. We observe weak antilocalization and extract a phase coherence length l(Ï) = 178 nm and spin-orbit length l(so) = 93 nm at T = 0.29 K. Our results are consistent with previous measurements on exfoliated samples and samples grown via physical vapor deposition.