Critical Examination of Quantum Oscillations in SmB$_6$: Magnetic Breakthrough.

ORAL

Abstract

We critically review the results of magnetic torque measurements on SmB$_6$ that show quantum oscillations. Similar studies have been given two different interpretations. One interpretation is based on the existence of metallic surface states, while the second interpretation is in terms of a three-dimensional Fermi-surface involving neutral fermionic excitations. We argue that the range of fields used spans the critical field at which magnetic breakthrough occurs. The phenomenon of magnetic breakthrough involves the formation of Landau orbits which produces a directional-dependent suppression of Bragg scattering. We conclude that the measurements performed under higher field conditions are fully consistent with expectations based on a three-dimensional semiconducting state with magnetic breakthrough

*This work was supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Science via the award DEFG02-01ER45872.

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Presenters

  • Peter Riseborough

    • Temple Univ
    • Physics, Temple Univ
    • Department of Physics, Temple University

Authors

  • Peter Riseborough

    • Temple Univ
    • Physics, Temple Univ
    • Department of Physics, Temple University

  • Zachary Fisk

    • Physics and Astronomy, University of California
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, Univ of California - Irvine
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California - Irvine
    • University of California Irvine
    • University of California, Irvine
    • Physics, University of California
    • Los Alamos National Laboratory
    • Department of Physics, University of California
    • Physics, University of California, Irvine
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Irvine