Twisting van der Waals heterostructures to induce correlated many body
states provides a novel tuning mechanism in solid state physics. In this
work, we theoretically investigate the fate of the surface Dirac cone of a
three-dimensional topological insulator subject to a superlattice
potential. Using a combination of diagrammatic perturbation theory, lattice
model simulations, and ab initio calculations we elucidate the unique
aspects of twisting a single Dirac cone with an induced moire potential and
the role of the bulk topology on the reconstructed surface band structure.
We report a dramatic renormalization of the surface Dirac cone velocity as
well as demonstrate a topological obstruction to the formation of isolated
minibands. Due to the topological nature of the bulk, surface band gaps
cannot open; instead additional satellite Dirac cones emerge, which can be
highly anisotropic. We discuss the implications of our findings for future
experiments.