Journal Article

Aharonov–Bohm oscillations in Dirac semimetal Cd3As2 nanowires

Liao, Zhi-Min, Wang, Li-Xian, Li, Cai-Zhen, Yu, Da-Peng

2016

Overview

Three-dimensional Dirac semimetals, three-dimensional analogues of graphene, are unusual quantum materials with massless Dirac fermions, which can be further converted to Weyl fermions by breaking time reversal or inversion symmetry. Topological surface states with Fermi arcs are predicted on the surface and have been observed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy experiments. Although the exotic transport properties of the bulk Dirac cones have been demonstrated, it is still a challenge to reveal the surface states via transport measurements due to the highly conductive bulk states. Here, we show Aharonov–Bohm oscillations in individual single-crystal Cd 3 As 2 nanowires with low carrier concentration and large surface-to-volume ratio, providing transport evidence of the surface state in three-dimensional Dirac semimetals. Moreover, the quantum transport can be modulated by tuning the Fermi level using a gate voltage, enabling a deeper understanding of the rich physics residing in Dirac semimetals. Dirac semimetals are a three-dimensional analogue of graphene that can support massless Dirac fermions in their bulk and Fermi-arc surface states. Here, the authors observe Aharonov–Bohm oscillations in transport measurements on Cd 3 As 2 nanowires, revealing these exotic surface states.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group,Nature Portfolio
• Subject: 639/301/119 / 639/925/357/1016 / Humanities and Social Sciences / multidisciplinary / Science / Science (multidisciplinary)