Observation of Dirac-like semi-metallic phase in NdSb

Madhab Neupane, M. Mofazzel Hosen, Ilya Belopolski, Nicholas Wakeham, Klauss Dimitri, Nagendra Dhakal, Jian Xin Zhu, M. Zahid Hasan, Eric D. Bauer, Filip Ronning

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

The search of new topological phases of matter is one of the new directions in condensed matter physics. Recent experimental realizations of Dirac semimetal phases pave the way to look for other exotic phases of matter in real materials. Here we present a systematic angleresolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) study of NdSb, a potential candidate for hosting a Dirac semi-metal phase. Our studies reveal two hole-like Fermi surface pockets present at the zone center (Γ) point as well as two elliptical electron-pockets present in the zone corner (X) point of the Brillouin zone (BZ). Interestingly, Dirac-like linearly dispersive states are observed about the zone corner (X) point in NdSb. Our first-principles calculations agree with the experimentally observed bands at the Γ point. Moreover, the Dirac-like state observed in NdSb may be a novel correlated state, not yet predicted in calculations. Our study opens a new direction to look for Dirac semi-metal states in other members of the rare earth monopnictide family.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number23LT02
JournalJournal of Physics Condensed Matter
Volume28
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - May 9 2016

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • General Materials Science

Keywords

  • ARPES
  • Dirac
  • NdSb
  • rare earth monopnictide
  • semi-metal
  • topological

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