Revealing the band structure of ZrTe$_5$ using Multicarrier Transport

TL;DR

This paper investigates the complex electronic structure of ZrTe$_5$ using magnetotransport measurements and band structure calculations, revealing that multicarrier transport explains many of its exotic behaviors across a wide temperature range.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis combining experimental magnetotransport data with ab-initio calculations to elucidate the band structure and transport mechanisms in ZrTe$_5$, clarifying its electronic properties.

Findings

Multicarrier transport explains resistivity anomalies.

Complex Fermi surface underpins transport features.

Band shifting influences electronic behavior.

Abstract

The layered material ZrTe$_5$ appears to exhibit several exotic behaviors which resulted in significant interest recently, although the exact properties are still highly debated. Among these we find a Dirac/Weyl semimetallic behavior, nontrivial spin textures revealed by low temperature transport, and a potential weak or strong topological phase. The anomalous behavior of resistivity has been recently elucidated as originating from band shifting in the electronic structure. Our work examines magnetotransport behavior in ZrTe$_5$ samples in the context of multicarrier transport. The results, in conjunction with ab-initio band structure calculations, indicate that many of the transport features of ZrTe$_5$ across the majority of the temperature range can be adequately explained by the semiclassical multicarrier transport model originating from a complex Fermi surface.