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arXiv · 2401.02026

Intrinsic insulating transport characteristics in low-carrier density EuCd2As2 films

Shinichi Nishihaya·Ayano Nakamura·Mizuki Ohno·Markus Kriener·Yuto Watanabe·Masashi Kawasaki·Masaki Uchida
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Abstract

Searching for an ideal magnetic Weyl semimetal hosting only a single pair of Weyl points has been a focal point for systematic clarification of its unique magnetotransport derived from the interplay between topology and magnetization. Among the candidates, triangular-lattice antiferromagnet EuCd$_2$As$_2$ has been attracting special attention due to the prediction of the ideal Weyl semimetal phase in the ferromagnetic state, however, transport properties of low-carrier density samples have remained elusive. Here we report molecular beam epitaxy growth of EuCd$_2$As$_2$ films, achieving low-hole density in the range of $10^{15}$-$10^{16}$ cm$^{-3}$ at low temperature. Transport measurements of such low-carrier density films reveal an insulating behavior with an activation gap of about 200 meV, which persists even in the field-induced ferromagnetic state. Our work provides an important experimental clue that EuCd$_2$As$_2$ is intrinsically insulating, contrary to the previous prediction.

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Shinichi Nishihaya, Ayano Nakamura, Mizuki Ohno, Markus Kriener, Yuto Watanabe, Masashi Kawasaki, Masaki Uchida. 2024-01-04. Intrinsic insulating transport characteristics in low-carrier density EuCd2As2 films. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0183907

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