Robust narrow-gap semiconducting behavior in square-net La$_{3}$Cd$_{2}$As$_{6}$

TL;DR

This study reports the synthesis and characterization of new narrow-gap semiconductors with square-net structures, exhibiting charge-density order and extremely high resistivity, indicating their potential for electronic applications.

Contribution

It introduces a new family of narrow-gap semiconductors with square-net structures, demonstrating charge-density ordering and exceptional semiconducting properties.

Findings

Charge-density order appears at specific temperatures in La and Ce compounds.

Resistivity increases by thirteen orders of magnitude upon cooling in La$_{3}$Cd$_{2}$As$_{6}$.

Light square net materials within a I4/mmm structure are promising narrow-gap semiconductors.

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Narrow-gap semiconductors are sought-after materials due to their potential for long-wavelength detectors, thermoelectrics, and more recently non-trivial topology. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of a new family of narrow-gap semiconductors, $R$$_{3}$Cd$_{2}$As$_{6}$ ($R=$ La, Ce). Single crystal x-ray diffraction at room temperature reveals that the As square nets distort and Cd vacancies order in a monoclinic superstructure. A putative charge-density ordered state sets in at 279~K in La$_{3}$Cd$_{2}$As$_{6}$ and at 136~K in Ce$_{3}$Cd$_{2}$As$_{6}$ and is accompanied by a substantial increase in the electrical resistivity in both compounds. The resistivity of the La member increases by thirteen orders of magnitude on cooling, which points to a remarkably clean semiconducting ground state. Our results suggest that light square net materials within a $I4/mmm$ parent structure are promising clean narrow-gap semiconductors.