Quantum oscillations from networked topological interfaces in a Weyl semimetal

I. Lin Liu, Colin Heikes, Taner Yildirim, Chris Eckberg, Tristin Metz, Hyunsoo Kim, Sheng Ran, William D. Ratcliff, Johnpierre Paglione, Nicholas P. Butch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Layered transition metal chalcogenides are promising hosts of electronic Weyl nodes and topological superconductivity. MoTe2 is a striking example that harbors both noncentrosymmetric Td and centrosymmetric T’ phases, both of which have been identified as topologically nontrivial. Applied pressure tunes the structural transition separating these phases to zero temperature, stabilizing a mixed Td–T’ matrix that entails a network of interfaces between the two nontrivial topological phases. Here, we show that this critical pressure range is characterized by distinct coherent quantum oscillations, indicating that the difference in topology between topologically nonvtrivial Td and T’ phases gives rise to an emergent electronic structure: a network of topological interfaces. A rare combination of topologically nontrivial electronic structures and locked-in transformation barriers leads to this counterintuitive situation, wherein quantum oscillations can be observed in a structurally inhomogeneous material. These results further open the possibility of stabilizing multiple topological phases coexisting with superconductivity.

Original languageEnglish
Article number62
Journalnpj Quantum Materials
Volume5
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2020

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