Observation of a Dirac state in a half-Heusler material YPtBi

POSTER

Abstract

The prediction of non-trivial topological electronic states hosted by half-Heusler compounds makes them prime candidates for discovering new physics and devices as they harbor a variety of electronic ground states including superconductivity, magnetism, and heavy fermion behavior. Here we report a systematic study of normal state electronic properties of the superconducting half-Heusler compound YPtBi using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). Our data reveal the presence of a Dirac state at the Γ point of the Brillouin zone at 500 meV below the chemical potential. We observe the presence of multiple Fermi surface pockets including two concentric hexagonal and six half oval-shaped pockets at the Γ and K points of the Brillouin zone, respectively. Furthermore, our measurements show Rashba-split bands and multiple surface states crossing the chemical potential which are supported by the first-principles calculations. Our findings of a Dirac state in YPtBi play a significant role in establishing half-Heusler compounds as a new potential platform for novel topological phases and explore their connection with superconductivity.

*This work was supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Award Number FA9550-17-1-0415 and the startup fund from UCF (MN).

Presenters

  • Christopher Sims

    • Department of Physics, University of Central Florida

Authors

  • Christopher Sims

    • Department of Physics, University of Central Florida

  • Md Mofazzel Hosen

    • Department of Physics, University of Central Florida
    • University of central florida
    • Department of Physics, Univ of Central Florida

  • Gyanendra Dhakal

    • Department of Physics, University of Central Florida
    • University of central florida
    • Department of Physics, Univ of Central Florida

  • Klauss Dimitri

    • Department of Physics, University of Central Florida
    • University of central florida
    • Department of Physics, Univ of Central Florida

  • Hongchul Choi

    • Los Alamos National Laboratory, Theoretical Division
    • Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory
    • Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • Firoza Kabir

    • Department of Physics, University of Central Florida
    • University of central florida
    • Department of Physics, Univ of Central Florida

  • Orest pavlosiuk

    • Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences

  • Piotr Wisniewski

    • Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences

  • Tomasz Durakiewicz

    • Condensed Matter and Magnet Science Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory
    • Los Alamos National Laboratory
    • Condensed Matter and Magnet Science Group,, Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • Jian-Xin Zhu

    • Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Los Alamos National Laboratory
    • Los Alamos National Laboratory
    • Los Alamos National Laboratory, Theoretical Division
    • Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory
    • Los Alamos Natl Lab

  • Dariusz Kaczorowski

    • Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences
    • Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Science
    • Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research

  • Madhab Neupane

    • Department of Physics, University of Central Florida
    • University of central florida
    • Department of Physics, Univ of Central Florida
    • Univ of Central Florida
    • University of Central Florida
    • Department of Physics , Univ of Central Florida