Journal Article

PUBDB-2025-04591

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Evidence of Ferroelectric Distortions in Topological Crystalline Insulators via Transverse Thermoelectric Measurements

Negi, P.Extern* ; He, B. ; Ukolov, D. ; Horta, S. ; Maji, K.Extern* ; Mao, N. ; Peshcherenko, N. ; Yanda, P.Extern* ; Yao, M.Extern* ; Dutta, M.Extern* ; Robredo, I. ; Iraola, M. ; Vergniory, M. G. ; Lemmens, P. ; Zhang, Y.Extern* ; Shekhar, C. ; Ibáñez, M. ; Felser, C. (Corresponding author)Extern* ; Roychowdhury, S. (Corresponding author)Extern*

2025
ACS Publications Washington, DC

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1021/jacs.5c01700

Abstract: The transverse thermoelectric (Nernst) effect is a powerful probe for studying the electronic and structural properties of materials. In this study, we employ transverse thermoelectric measurements to investigate the ferroelectric distortion in the topological crystalline insulator (TCI) Pb0.60Sn0.40Te, a compound derived from PbTe and SnTe, known for their exceptional thermoelectric performance and distinct ferroelectric properties. By leveraging Nernst measurements, we provide direct evidence of ferroelectric distortion in this TCI, corroborated by Shubnikov–de Haas quantum oscillations that confirm the presence of two topologically nontrivial Fermi pockets. Density functional theory calculations show that these pockets originate from the L and T points in the Brillouin zone of the distorted structure within the TCI phase. Raman spectroscopy further identifies a structural phase transition below 50 K, consistent with the quantum oscillation observations. This observation is further substantiated by temperature-dependent synchrotron X-ray pair distribution function analysis and transmission electron microscopy, which confirm the local off-centering of cations at low temperature. These findings underscore the potential of transverse thermoelectric measurements in unveiling ferroelectric distortions and their role in modulating topological quantum states, opening new directions for research into the synergy between ferroelectricity and topological phases.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. DOOR-User (DOOR ; HAS-User)

Research Program(s):

1. 6G3 - PETRA III (DESY) (POF4-6G3) (POF4-6G3)
2. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)390858490 - EXC 2147: Komplexität und Topologie in Quantenmaterialien (CT.QMAT) (390858490) (390858490)
3. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)390837967 - EXC 2123: QuantumFrontiers - Licht und Materie an der Quantengrenze (390837967) (390837967)
4. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)247310070 - SFB 1143: Korrelierter Magnetismus: Von Frustration zu Topologie (247310070) (247310070)
5. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)449872909 - FOR 5249: Quantitative räumlich-zeitliche Modellierung von Materie mit elektronischen Korrelationen (449872909) (449872909)

Experiment(s):

1. PETRA Beamline P02.1 (PETRA III)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Chemical Reactions ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 15 ; Index Chemicus ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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