Origin of the Electron-Phonon Interaction of Topological Semimetal Surfaces Measured with Helium Atom Scattering

Abstract: He atom scattering has been demonstrated to be a sensitive probe of the electron-phonon interaction parameter $\lambda$ at metal and metal-overlayer surfaces. Here it is shown that the theory linking $\lambda$ to the thermal attenuation of atom scattering spectra (the Debye-Waller factor), can be applied to topological semimetal surfaces, like the quasi-one dimensional charge-density-wave system Bi(114) and the layered pnictogen chalcogenides.