Topological spin-polarized electron layer above the surface of Ca-terminated Bi₂Se₃

Spin-polarized gapless surface states on the boundary of topological insulators are of interest for spintronic applications. First-principles calculations show that adsorption of a Ca monolayer on films of the prototypical topological insulator, Bi₂Se₃, yields a substantial enhancement of the surface-state spin polarization, despite the low atomic mass of Ca and its weak spin-orbit coupling. Much of the topological surface electron distribution is transferred outside the Ca to form a polarized electron layer out in vacuum; this spatial separation from the substrate minimizes scattering by defects in Bi₂Se₃ and can be a useful feature for device engineering.