Giant Rashba splitting in a 2D BiAs layer on InAs(111)B
Abstract Bismuth-based compounds, such as Bi1 -x Sb x or Bi 2 Te 3 , have outstanding electronic properties especially for advanced quantum devices. However, the potential of low-dimensional group V-Bi materials is largely undetermined. Here, we report the experimental realization of a two-dimensional (2D) BiAs layer with giant Rashba spin splitting, grown on an InAs(111)B substrate via molecular beam epitaxy. ARPES reveals the emergence of a prominent M-shaped band structure and a distinct electron pocket at the Fermi level. DFT, complemented by synchrotron-based XPS, LEED, and STM, confirms strong spin-orbit coupling and a giant Rashba coefficient of these electronic states. An As overlayer, remaining from the fabrication process, preserves a structural shift between substrate and BiAs layer, essential for the Rashba splitting, while preventing undesirable reconstruction. This indicates how well-known capping techniques can stabilize new 2D compounds with interesting electronic structures, especially BiAs, a promising candidate to open possibilities for next-generation spintronic devices and field-effect transistors.
Authors
- Sandra Benter (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0472-5143)
- Marco Bianchi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0122-9443)
- Philip Hofmann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7367-5821)
- Chin Shen Ong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8747-1849)
- Rainer Timm (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8914-5924)
- Renan Da Paixao Maciel
- Anders Mikkelsen
- Craig Polley
- Sébastien Plissard (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0769-5429)
- Olle Eriksson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5111-1374)
- Rohit Yadav (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6200-0108)
Institutions
- Uppsala University (SE)
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées (FR)
- Lund University (SE)
- Laboratoire d'Analyse et d'Architecture des Systèmes (FR)
- Aarhus University (DK)
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (FR)
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A. (IT)
- MAX IV Laboratory (SE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Communications Materials
- Published
- 2026-05-12
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-026-01185-y
- Primary Topic
- Topological Materials and Phenomena
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- European Commission
- Agence Nationale de la Recherche
- VINNOVA
- Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas
- Lunds Universitet
- Knut och Alice Wallenbergs Stiftelse
- Vetenskapsrådet
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
- Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond
- Horizon 2020 Framework Programme