Quantum Oscillations and Superconductivity in YPtBi Under Pressure

TL;DR

This study investigates how applying pressure affects the superconducting and topological properties of YPtBi, revealing a weakening of band inversion and changes in quantum oscillations that shed light on its topological nature.

Contribution

It provides the first high-pressure magnetotransport measurements on YPtBi, demonstrating pressure-induced modifications in its electronic and topological characteristics.

Findings

Pressure reduces quantum oscillation amplitude.

Superconductivity weakens with pressure.

Band inversion diminishes under pressure.

Abstract

The topological semimetal YPtBi has attracted considerable attention, owing to its novel superconducting and normal state properties. A strong band inversion from spin-orbit coupling allows the existence of $j=3/2$ quasiparticles near the Fermi level, which form Cooper pairs with angular momentum potentially higher than single or triplet states. In this report, we present high-pressure magnetotransport and Shubnikov-de Haas effect measurements on high-quality YPtBi up to $P = 2.08$ GPa. As a function of pressure, we observe a trend toward more insulating resistivity at low temperatures concomitant with a suppression of quantum oscillation amplitude. Together with a decrease of the upper critical field and significant increase in the Dingle temperature, the pressure-induced changes point to a weakening of the band inversion and potential tuning of the topological nature of YPtBi, suggesting pressure as a useful tool for understanding the nature of topology in other related half-Heusler compounds.