Magnetotransport and Carrier Dynamics in Quasi-One-Dimensional Antiferromagnet KMn$_6$Bi$_5$

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetotransport properties of KMn$_6$Bi$_5$, revealing temperature-dependent carrier dynamics, a crossover from two-band to single-band behavior, and the influence of antiferromagnetic gaps and spin fluctuations on magnetoresistance.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the carrier dynamics and magnetotransport behavior in quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnetic semimetals, highlighting the interplay of magnetic order and electron correlations.

Findings

Large, non-saturating magnetoresistance at low temperatures

Crossover from two-band to single-band regime around 20 K

Suppression of magnetoresistance due to spin fluctuations

Abstract

Quasi-one-dimensional materials $A$Mn$_6$Bi$_5$ ($A$ = Na, K, Rb, Cs) exhibit unique electronic behaviors such as antiferromagnetism, charge density waves, and pressure-induced superconductivity. Thus, they serve as a suitable model system to investigate emergent quantum phenomena produced by the interactions among spin, charge, and lattice. Here we report the magnetotransport properties of KMn$_6$Bi$_5$, revealing a cascade of temperature-dependent carrier dynamics. Below 5 K, the system, despite its anisotropic electronic structure, could be effectively described by an isotropic two-band model and exhibits a large, non-saturating magnetoresistance ($\propto B^{1.8}$). Upon warming, a crossover to a single-band regime occurs around 20 K, driven by the suppression of a hole pocket. Electron density recovers as antiferromagnetic gap openings gradually close from 25 to 70 K which is just below the N$\mathrm{\acute{e}}$el temperature. Within this temperature range, field-quenched spin fluctuations suppress magnetoresistance. Furthermore, we attribute the low-temperature resistivity upturn to the scaling behavior of magnetoresistance. These findings provide crucial insights into the interplay of dimensionality, magnetism, and electron correlations in quasi-one-dimensional magnetic semimetals.