Electron-electron interactions and weak anti-localization in few-layer ZrTe5 devices

TL;DR

This study investigates the electronic properties of few-layer ZrTe5, revealing electron-electron interactions and weak anti-localization effects, with findings indicating strong two-dimensional characteristics and insights into its topological nature.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed magnetotransport analysis of thin ZrTe5, highlighting electron-electron interactions and weak anti-localization in a two-dimensional regime.

Findings

Observation of weak anti-localization and electron-electron interactions

Temperature dependence of phase coherence length matches electron-electron scattering

Transport properties exhibit strong two-dimensional behavior

Abstract

Much effort has been devoted to the electronic properties of relatively thick ZrTe5 crystals, focusing on their three-dimensional topological effects. Thin ZrTe5 crystals, on the other hand, were much less explored experimentally. Here we present detailed magnetotransport studies of few-layer ZrTe5 devices, in which electron-electron interactions and weak anti-localization are observed. The coexistence of the two effects manifests themselves in corroborating evidence presented in the temperature and magnetic field dependence of the resistance. Notably, the temperature-dependent phase coherence length extracted from weak anti-localization agrees with strong electron-electron scattering in the sample. Meanwhile, universal conductance fluctuations have temperature and gate voltage dependence that is similar to that of the phase coherence length. Lastly, all the transport properties in thin ZrTe5 crystals show strong two-dimensional characteristics. Our results provide new insight into the highly intricate properties of topological material ZrTe5.