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Magnetic torque anomaly in the quantum limit of Weyl semimetals

Author

Listed:
  • Philip J. W. Moll

    (University of California Berkeley
    Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids)

  • Andrew C. Potter

    (University of California Berkeley)

  • Nityan L. Nair

    (University of California Berkeley)

  • B. J. Ramshaw

    (National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, TA-35)

  • K. A. Modic

    (Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids
    National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, TA-35)

  • Scott Riggs

    (National High Magnetic Field Laboratory)

  • Bin Zeng

    (National High Magnetic Field Laboratory)

  • Nirmal J. Ghimire

    (Los Alamos National Laboratory, TA-3)

  • Eric D. Bauer

    (Los Alamos National Laboratory, TA-3)

  • Robert Kealhofer

    (University of California Berkeley)

  • Filip Ronning

    (Los Alamos National Laboratory, TA-3)

  • James G. Analytis

    (University of California Berkeley)

Abstract

Electrons in materials with linear dispersion behave as massless Weyl- or Dirac-quasiparticles, and continue to intrigue due to their close resemblance to elusive ultra-relativistic particles as well as their potential for future electronics. Yet the experimental signatures of Weyl-fermions are often subtle and indirect, in particular if they coexist with conventional, massive quasiparticles. Here we show a pronounced anomaly in the magnetic torque of the Weyl semimetal NbAs upon entering the quantum limit state in high magnetic fields. The torque changes sign in the quantum limit, signalling a reversal of the magnetic anisotropy that can be directly attributed to the topological nature of the Weyl electrons. Our results establish that anomalous quantum limit torque measurements provide a direct experimental method to identify and distinguish Weyl and Dirac systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Philip J. W. Moll & Andrew C. Potter & Nityan L. Nair & B. J. Ramshaw & K. A. Modic & Scott Riggs & Bin Zeng & Nirmal J. Ghimire & Eric D. Bauer & Robert Kealhofer & Filip Ronning & James G. Analytis, 2016. "Magnetic torque anomaly in the quantum limit of Weyl semimetals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-7, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms12492
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12492
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