Non-universal weak antilocalization effect in cubic topological Kondo insulators

TL;DR

This paper investigates how multiple Dirac bands and interband scattering affect weak antilocalization in cubic topological Kondo insulators, revealing non-universal quantum corrections to conductivity.

Contribution

It introduces a model considering interband scattering effects on weak antilocalization, explaining experimental observations in samarium hexaboride.

Findings

Interband scattering gaps out two diffusion modes.

Quantum correction to conductivity depends on phase coherence time.

Weak antilocalization remains non-universal due to mode suppression.

Abstract

We study the quantum correction to conductivity on the surface of cubic topological Kondo insulators with multiple Dirac bands. We consider the model of time-reversal invariant disorder which induces the scattering of the electrons within the Dirac bands as well as between the bands. When only intraband scattering is present we find three long-range diffusion modes which lead to weak antilocalization correction to conductivity, which remains independent of the microscopic details such as Fermi velocities and relaxation times. Interband scattering gaps out two diffusion modes leaving only one long-range mode. We find that depending on the value of the phase coherence time, either three or only one long-range diffusion modes contribute to weak localization correction rendering the quantum correction to conductivity non-universal. We provide an interpretation for the results of the recent transport experiments on samarium hexaboride where weak antilocalization has been observed.