Study of magneto-transport properties and quantum oscillations in PbSe single crystals

TL;DR

This study investigates the magneto-transport properties and quantum oscillations in PbSe single crystals, revealing insights into their electronic structure, carrier dynamics, and optical characteristics at low temperatures and high magnetic fields.

Contribution

The paper provides detailed measurements of quantum oscillations, effective mass, and Fermi surface properties in PbSe, along with optical analysis, offering new understanding of its electronic and optical behavior.

Findings

Quantum oscillation frequency ~15 T indicating carrier density in L pockets

Effective mass estimated from temperature dependence of oscillations

Optical measurements reveal bandgap ~0.2 eV and phonon mode at 45 cm$^{-1}$

Abstract

PbSe is a low-gap semiconductor with excellent infrared photo-detection properties. Here we report our high magnetic field and low temperature electrical properties measurement performed on a moderately doped PbSe single crystals with p-type bulk carrier density of around $1\times10^{18}$ cm$^{-3}$. Longitudinal resistance (R$_{xx}$) and Hall resistance (R$_{xy}$) were simultaneously measured between 0 T--18 T at several temperatures between 0.8 K--25 K. These transport measurements start showing oscillatory behavior around and above 6 T of magnetic field. The quantum oscillation frequency is ~15 T, giving an estimate for the carrier density of each L pocket in the BZ participating in these oscillations. The effective mass of the free carriers is estimated from the temperature dependence of oscillation amplitudes. Measurements as the magnetic fields is rotated reveal the magneto-transport properties of a 3D-like fermi surface. Free carrier scattering rate from the transport data has been estimated which also gave an estimation of Dingle temperature in PbSe. Room temperature optical measurements has been conducted and other optical properties has been estimated. The Drude-Lorentz model fit has been performed which show a low frequency phonon mode around 45 cm$^{-1}$ and bandgap of around 0.2 eV along with other interband electronic transitions. Some of the optical and transport results has been compared against other members of class IV-VI chalcogenides.