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Anomalous quantum oscillations in a spin-3/2 topological semimetal: I. Experiment

ORAL

Abstract

Gapless spin-3/2 quasiparticles lead to an unprecedented class of high-spin topological superconductivity which hosts a Majorana fluid on the surface. The spin-3/2 Fermi surface can be realized in a crystal lattice with high symmetry. The RPtBi (R=rare earth) half-Heuslers are a family of promising candidates, in which strong spin-orbit interaction inverts the Bi p-orbital derived bands and Bi s-orbital derived bands. In this particular case, the low energy quasiparticles are adequately described by the four-band Luttinger–Kohn model. In this talk, we report compelling evidence for a spin-3/2 Fermi surface in YPtBi via studies of the angle-dependent Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) effect uniquely explained by the anisotropic effect of Zeeman interaction on spin-3/2 quasiparticles, confirming the long-awaited high-spin nature of topological semimetal RPtBi compounds.

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Presenters

  • Hyunsoo Kim

    University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland Quantum Materials Center, Department of Physics, University of Maryland-College Park,College Park, Maryland 20742

Authors

  • Hyunsoo Kim

    University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland Quantum Materials Center, Department of Physics, University of Maryland-College Park,College Park, Maryland 20742

  • Junhyun Lee

    Condensed Matter Theory Center, Joint Quantum Institute and Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, University of Maryland, College Park, Condensed Matter Theory Center and Joint Quantum Institute, University of Maryland, College Park

  • Halyna Hodovanets

    University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland Quantum Materials Center, Department of Physics, University of Maryland-College Park,College Park, Maryland 20742

  • Kefeng Wang

    University of Maryland, College Park, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park

  • Jay Sau

    University of Maryland, College Park, Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Condensed Matter Theory Center and Joint Quantum Institute, Department of Physics, Univeristy of Maryland

  • Johnpierre Paglione

    University of Maryland, College Park, Physics Department, University of Maryland, Maryland Quantum Materials Center, Department of Physics, University of Maryland College Park, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, University of Maryland, College Park & NIST, Univ of Maryland-Colege Park, Center for Quantum Materials, University of Maryland, Maryland Quantum Materials Center, Department of Physics, University of Maryland-College Park,College Park, Maryland 20742