Pressure effect on the topologically nontrivial electronic state and transport of lutecium monobismuthide

TL;DR

This study investigates how pressure influences the topological electronic states and induces superconductivity in lutecium monobismuthide, revealing persistent topological features and minor electron-phonon coupling effects.

Contribution

It provides experimental and theoretical insights into pressure-induced superconductivity and topological properties in LuBi, a rare-earth monopnictide.

Findings

Topologically nontrivial carrier pockets are present at ambient pressure.

Superconductivity emerges under pressure with a similar trend to LaBi.

Topological features are preserved across pressure ranges.

Abstract

Rare-earth monopnictides are predicted to be nontrivial semimetal candidates and show pressure-induced superconductivity. Here, we grow LuBi single crystal and study the magnetization, transport behaviors and electronic band structures to reveal its topological semimetal feature and superconductivity under pressure. At 0 GPa, the quantum oscillations indicate that there are several topologically nontrivial carrier pockets around the Fermi level, among which the hole ones are isotropic in shape, while the electron ones are anisotropic and responsible for the angular magnetoresistance. Upon compression, the superconductivity emerges in the titled compound, showing a similar pressure dependence as that observed in LaBi. Our calculation suggests that the electronic band structures are robust at low- and high-pressure respectively and thus the topological features are always preserved. Besides, the nearly pressure-independent density of state in LuBi indicates that the conventional electron-phonon coupling appears to play a minor role in the superconductivity.