Fourier analysis of the IR response of van der Waals materials

In this letter, we report on an analytical technique for optical investigations of semitransparent samples. By Fourier transforming optical spectra with Fabry-Perot resonances we extract information about sample thickness and its discrete variations. Moreover, this information is used to recover optical spectra devoid of Fabry-Perot fringes, which simplifies optical modelling, and can reveal previously concealed spectral features. To illustrate its use, we apply our technique to a Si wafer as well as six different cleavable layered materials, including topological insulators, thermoelectrics, and magnetic insulators. In the layered materials, we find strong evidence of large step edges and thickness inhomogeneity, and cannot conclusively exclude the presence of voids in the bulk of cleaved samples. This could strongly affect the interpretation of transport and optical data of crystals with topologically protected surfaces states.