Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry analysis of iron-containing Bi2Se3 topological insulator thin films

Fe-containing Bi2Se3 topological insulators (TI) thin films have been grown to investigate the intricate interplay between topological order and the incorporation of ferromagnetic atoms. Here we present the quantitative characterisation of the Bi2Se3 thin films with up to 16 at% Fe incorporated during the growth process on GaAs (1 1 1) substrate by Molecular Beam Epitaxy. We report the elemental composition and depth profiles of the Bi2Se3:Fe films obtained using Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) and their formed crystalline phase obtained by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Resistance of the TI to beam-induced damage was investigated by channelling RBS. Using the elemental composition from RBS and the thickness from XRD measurements the Fe-free film density was deduced. For Fe-containing samples, the diffraction reveals the formation of two distinct crystalline phases, as well as their intergrowth pattern, in which the basal planes of Bi2Se3 coexist with an additional Fe–Se phase. This intergrown composite, with chemical compatibility of the Fe–Se phase with the crystalline Bi2Se3 structure, preserves the intrinsic topological surface states of the TI component despite the inhomogeneous distribution of the constituent phases. RBS analysis gives the stoichiometry of the Bi2Se3, and Bi2Se3:Fe samples (estimated between 0 and 16 at% Fe) and gives insights into the composition of FeSex phases present.