Anisotropic weak antilocalization in thin films of the Weyl semimetal TaAs

Leahy, Ian A.; Rice, Anthony D.; Jiang, Chun-Sheng; Paul, Goutam; Alberi, Kirstin; Nelson, Jocienne N.

doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.110.054206

Title: Anisotropic weak antilocalization in thin films of the Weyl semimetal TaAs

Journal Article · 22 August 2024 · Physical Review. B

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.110.054206 · OSTI ID:2473475

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Device applications of topological semimetals await the development of epitaxial films in the ultrathin limit. Weak antilocalization (WAL) has been extensively utilized in the understanding of surface states in topological insulators and shows promise for use in elucidating the properties of thin film topological semimetals. Here, we report insights from WAL in the surface state and interface transport properties of our recently synthesized single-crystal-like thin films of the Weyl semimetal TaAs(001) grown on GaAs(001). We observe robust, anisotropic WAL in the magnetoconductance from 2 to 20 K in films from 10 to 200 nm thick. We link the anisotropic WAL magnetoconductance to anisotropic mobility stemming from film topography. We conclude that WAL in the films likely originates from the antilocalization of topological surface states. The WAL magnetoconductance is impacted by the film thickness and topography, solidifying the useful role of WAL in the study of topological semimetal/semiconductor heterointerfaces. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

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Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division (MSE)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 2473475

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA--5K00-86411; 054206

Journal Information:: Physical Review. B, Journal Name: Physical Review. B Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 110; ISSN 2469-9950; ISSN PRBMDO

Publisher:: American Physical SocietyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Anisotropic weak antilocalization in thin films of the Weyl semimetal TaAs

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