Abstract
We report the theoretical prediction of a class of spintronic materials, namely, spin semimetals, which is indirectly supported by experimental data measured for one such system. The band structure of this class of materials is such that one of the spin bands resembles that of a semimetal, while the other is similar to that of an insulator/semiconductor. We show that quaternary Heusler alloy FeRhCrGe possesses band features characterizing it as a spin semimetal. It is found to possess a magnetic moment of and a Curie temperature of 550 K. Measurements below 300 K show weakly temperature dependent electrical conductivity and a moderate Hall effect. Band structure calculations also reveal that the spin-up (semimetallic) band shows a strong signature of type-II Weyl semimetallic behavior. As such, this study opens up the possibility of a class of materials with combined spintronic and topological properties, which is important from both fundamental and applied perspectives.
- Received 8 April 2019
- Revised 17 October 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.100.180404
©2019 American Physical Society