Electronic structure of the ?-(BEDT-TTF)2I3 surface by photoelectron spectroscopy

Abstract: We report anomalies observed in photoelectron spectroscopy measurements performed on ?-(BEDT-TTF)2I3 crystals. In particular, above its metal-insulator transition temperature (T = 135 K), we observe the lack of a sharp Fermi edge in contradiction with the metallic transport properties exhibited by this quasi-bidimensional organic material. We interpret these unusual results as a signature of a one-dimensional electronic behavior confirmed by DFT band structure calculations. Using photoelectron spectroscopy we probe a Luttinger liquid with a large correlation parameter (? > 1) that we interpret to be caused by the chain-like electronic structure of ?-(BEDT-TTF)2I3 surface doped by iodine defects. These new surface effects are inaccessible by bulk sensitive measurements of electronic transport techniques. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. © 2019, EDP Sciences / Società Italiana di Fisica / Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.