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Optical investigation of the metal-insulator transition in $FeSb_2$

A. Perucchi·L. Degiorgi·R. Hu·C. Petrovic·V. Mitrovi{ć}
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Abstract

We present a comprehensive optical study of the narrow gap $FeSb_2$ semiconductor. From the optical reflectivity, measured from the far infrared up to the ultraviolet spectral range, we extract the complete absorption spectrum, represented by the real part $σ_1(ω)$ of the complex optical conductivity. With decreasing temperature below 80 K, we find a progressive depletion of $σ_1(ω)$ below $E_g\sim 280$ cm$^{-1}$, the semiconducting optical gap. The suppressed (Drude) spectral weight within the gap is transferred at energies $ω>E_g$ and also partially piles up over a continuum of excitations extending in the spectral range between zero and $E_g$. Moreover, the interaction of one phonon mode with this continuum leads to an asymmetric phonon shape. Even though several analogies between $FeSb_2$ and $FeSi$ were claimed and a Kondo-insulator scenario was also invoked for both systems, our data on $FeSb_2$ differ in several aspects from those of $FeSi$. The relevance of our findings with respect to the Kondo insulator description will be addressed.

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A. Perucchi, L. Degiorgi, R. Hu, C. Petrovic, V. Mitrovi{ć}. 2005-10-06. Optical investigation of the metal-insulator transition in $FeSb_2$. https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb%2Fe2006-00433-1

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