Electrodynamic response of the type-II Weyl semimetal YbMnBi2

M. Chinotti, A. Pal, W. J. Ren, C. Petrovic, and L. Degiorgi
Phys. Rev. B 94, 245101 – Published 1 December 2016

Abstract

Weyl fermions play a major role in quantum field theory but have been quite elusive as fundamental particles. Materials based on quasi-two-dimensional bismuth layers were recently designed and provide an arena for studying the interplay between anisotropic Dirac fermions, magnetism, and structural changes, allowing the formation of Weyl fermions in condensed matter. Here, we perform an optical investigation of YbMnBi2, a representative type-II Weyl semimetal, and contrast its excitation spectrum with the optical response of the more conventional semimetal EuMnBi2. Our comparative study allows us to disentangle the optical fingerprints of type-II Weyl fermions, but also challenges the present theoretical understanding of their electrodynamic response.

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  • Received 28 July 2016
  • Revised 11 October 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.94.245101

©2016 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Condensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Authors & Affiliations

M. Chinotti1, A. Pal1, W. J. Ren2,3, C. Petrovic2, and L. Degiorgi1,*

  • 1Laboratorium für Festkörperphysik, ETH - Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
  • 2Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton New York, 11973, USA
  • 3Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China

  • *degiorgi@solid.phys.ethz.ch

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Vol. 94, Iss. 24 — 15 December 2016

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