Surface photoelectric effect by twisted photons as a source of twisted electrons

Abstract

The theory of surface photoelectric effect by twisted photons is developed. The explicit expression for the probability to record a twisted photoelectron is derived. The conditions when the surface photoelectric effect can be used as a pure source of twisted electrons are found. It is shown that the lightly doped n-InSb crystal with interface without defects at temperatures lower than $2.5$ K satisfies these conditions. The Dirac and Weyl semimetals with electron chemical potential near the top of the Dirac cone obey these conditions at temperatures lower than $60$ K and can also be employed for design of pure sources of twisted electrons by the photoelectric effect.