Intertwined topological phases in TaAs2 nanowires with giant magnetoresistance and quantum coherent surface transport

TL;DR

This study synthesizes TaAs2 nanowires encapsulated in SiO2, revealing rich topological phases and quantum transport phenomena, including giant magnetoresistance and coherent surface states, with potential for spintronics and quantum tech applications.

Contribution

First demonstration of in situ encapsulated TaAs2 nanowires exhibiting multiple topological phases and quantum transport phenomena at high temperatures.

Findings

Observation of giant positive and negative magnetoresistance.

Detection of Aharonov-Bohm oscillations indicating coherent surface transport.

Presence of multiple topological phases in TaAs2 nanowires.

Abstract

Nanowires (NWs) of topological materials are emerging as an exciting platform to probe and engineer new quantum phenomena that are hard to access in bulk phase. Their quasi-one-dimensional geometry and large surface-to-bulk ratio unlock new expressions of topology and highlight surface states. TaAs2, a compensated semimetal, is a topologically rich material harboring nodal-line, weak topological insulator (WTI), C2-protected topological crystalline insulator, and Zeeman field-induced Weyl semimetal phases. We report the synthesis of TaAs2 NWs in situ encapsulated in a dielectric SiO2 shell, which enabled us to probe rich magnetotransport phenomena, including metal-to-insulator transition and strong signatures of topologically non-trivial transport at remarkably high temperatures, direction-dependent giant positive and negative magnetoresistance, and a double pattern of Aharonov-Bohm oscillations, demonstrating coherent surface transport consistent with the two Dirac cones of a WTI surface. The coexistence and susceptibility of topological phases to external stimuli have potential applications in spintronics and nanoscale quantum technology.