Effect of topological protection on X-ray ablation

Determine how the topologically protected surface states of bismuth selenide affect radiation-induced ablation and the resulting material response, particularly as surface-state reformation competes with electronic redistribution during ablation.

Background

Bismuth selenide combines metallic, topologically protected surface states with an insulating bulk, so X-ray irradiation interacts with distinct electronic and structural regions. The paper discusses competing possibilities for ablation, including thermal melting and vaporization, electrostatic rupture, and Coulomb-explosion-like behavior.

The authors emphasize that repeated ablation cycles may regenerate metallic surface states on newly exposed surfaces until disorder drives the material into a non-topological state. Because the experiments characterize structural damage and grain refinement rather than directly resolving the evolution of electronic topology during ablation, the effect of topological protection on the radiation response remains unresolved.