Surface states and Rashba-type spin polarization in antiferromagnetic <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:msub><mml:mi>MnBi</mml:mi><mml:mn>2</mml:mn></mml:msub><mml:msub><mml:mi>Te</mml:mi><mml:mn>4</mml:mn></mml:msub></mml:mrow></mml:math>(0001)

The layered van der Waals antiferromagnet MnBi${}_{2}$Te${}_{4}$ has been predicted previously to realize the first intrinsic magnetic topological insulator. Here, the authors report spin- and angle-resolved photoemission experiments for the MnBi${}_{2}$Te${}_{4}$(0001) surface, revealing a surface state in the bulk band gap and providing evidence for the interplay between magnetic exchange interaction and spin-orbit coupling in the surface electronic structure. MnBi${}_{2}$Te${}_{4}$ thus constitutes a promising candidate to exploit the interplay of topological states and magnetic order in spintronic device concepts.