Tunable positions of Weyl nodes via magnetism and pressure in the ferromagnetic Weyl semimetal CeAlSi

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that magnetism and pressure can effectively tune the positions of Weyl nodes in the ferromagnetic Weyl semimetal CeAlSi, affecting its topological and transport properties.

Contribution

It reveals the first experimental evidence of magnetism and pressure as parameters to control Weyl node positions in CeAlSi, a noncentrosymmetric ferromagnetic Weyl semimetal.

Findings

Magnetism enhances anomalous Hall and Nernst effects near ferromagnetic transition.

ARPES shows band structure tuning by magnetism in CeAlSi.

Pressure induces phase transitions and sign change in Hall effects.

Abstract

The noncentrosymmetric ferromagnetic Weyl semimetal CeAlSi with simultaneous space-inversion (SI) and time-reversal (TR) symmetry breaking provides a unique platform for the exploration of novel topological states. Here, by employing electrical and thermoelectrical transport, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), high-pressure techniques, and band calculations, we demonstrate that magnetism and pressure can serve as efficient parameters to tune the positions of Weyl nodes in CeAlSi. At ambient pressure, an anomalous Hall effect (AHE) and an anomalous Nernst effect (ANE) arise in the paramagnetic state, and then are enhanced when temperature approaches the ferromagnetic ordering temperature, evidencing magnetism facilitates the AHE/ANE. Such an enhancement of AHE/ANE can be ascribed to the tuning of the positions of Weyl nodes via magnetism. The ARPES measurements reveal that the ferromagnetism serves as a pivotal knob to tune the band structure of CeAlSi both in the bulk and on the surface. Such magnetism-tunable electronic structure has hitherto not been reported in other magnetic $R$Al$Pn$ ($R$ = rare earth elements, $Pn$ = Si, Ge) siblings, suggesting the great potential of controlling Weyl node positions in CeAlSi. Under pressure, an enhancement and a sign change of AHE are discovered. Based on band calculations, the evolution of AHE may root in the tuning of Weyl nodes via pressure. Moreover, multiple pressure-induced phase transitions are uncovered. These findings indicate that CeAlSi provides a unique and tunable platform for exploring exotic topological physics and electron correlations, as well as catering to an array of potential applications, such as spintronics and thermoelectrics.