Pressure tuning the Fermi-surface topology of the Weyl semimetal NbP

TL;DR

This study investigates how applying pressure affects the Fermi surface topology of the Weyl semimetal NbP, revealing stability in its electronic structure up to 2.8 GPa through combined experimental and theoretical approaches.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of pressure effects on NbP's Fermi surface using quantum oscillations and band-structure calculations, highlighting the stability of its electronic topology.

Findings

Quantum oscillation amplitudes change with pressure

Fermi surface frequencies show weak pressure dependence

Band-structure calculations agree with experimental results

Abstract

We report on the pressure evolution of the Fermi surface topology of the Weyl semimetal NbP, probed by Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations in the magnetoresistance combined with ab-initio calculations of the band-structure. Although we observe a drastic effect on the amplitudes of the quantum oscillations, the frequencies only exhibit a weak pressure dependence up to 2.8 GPa. The pressure-induce variations in the oscillation frequencies are consistent with our band-structure calculations. Furthermore, we can relate the changes in the amplitudes to small modifications in the shape of the Fermi surface. Our findings evidenced the stability of the electronic band structure of NbP and demonstrate the power of combining quantum-oscillation studies and band-structure calculations to investigate pressure effects on the Fermi-surface topology in Weyl semimetals.