Magnetic-field-induced nonlocal transport in the topological semimetal ZrTe$_5$

TL;DR

This paper reports a novel nonlocal charge transport phenomenon in the topological semimetal ZrTe$_5$ under strong magnetic fields, revealing insights into topological quantum materials through an unusually long decay length and nonlocal Hall effect.

Contribution

It uncovers magnetic-field-induced nonlocal transport in ZrTe$_5$, with decay lengths exceeding 100 μm and a nonlocal Hall effect, advancing understanding of topological semimetals.

Findings

Decay length of nonlocality exceeds 100 μm and increases with sample width.

Nonlocal transport observed in both longitudinal and transverse configurations.

Detection of an unusual nonlocal Hall effect.

Abstract

Nonlocal transport, which goes beyond the Ohm's law, can be a key in understanding systems with topological order or edge states. Here we report an unusual nonlocal charge transport in the nodal-line semimetal ZrTe$_5$ that occurs in the ultra-quantum limit driven by the magnetic field applied along the $a$-axis. Surprisingly, the observed decay length of the nonlocality exceeds 100 $\mu$m and it increases linearly with the sample width. This nonlocal transport is detected not only in the longitudinal configuration, but also in the transverse one as an unusual nonlocal Hall effect. Our findings demonstrate that the nonlocal response can offer unprecedented insights into topological quantum materials.