Instability of the topological surface state in Bi$_2$Se$_3$ upon deposition of gold

Momentum-resolved photoemission spectroscopy indicates the instability of the Dirac surface state upon deposition of gold on the (0001) surface of the topological insulator Bi2Se3. Based on the structure model derived from extended x-ray absorption fine structure experiments showing that gold atoms substitute bismuth atoms, first-principles calculations provide evidence that a gap appears due to hybridization of the surface state with gold d states near the Fermi level. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms affecting the stability of the surface state.