Two-band transport and large magnetoresistance in Bi2-xSbxTe3 crystals
摘要
The current work focused on understanding the electronic and magnetotransport properties of the Bi2-xSbxTe3 (x = 0, 1, 2) series of topological insulator single crystals. The samples were synthesized using the modified Bridgman technique. X-ray diffraction measurements confirmed the formation of the rhombohedral phase with the R-3 m space group. A temperature-dependent resistivity study at 0 Tesla and 9 Tesla revealed the metallic character of all the samples, with a T2-like temperature dependence, which was attributed to the Fermi liquid behavior. Magnetoresistance (MR%) was around 1000% for Bi2Te3, 140% for BiSbTe3, and 70% for Sb2Te3 at 9 Tesla and 2 K, which decreased for Bi2Te3 to 500% at 50 K, while for the others, it remained almost unchanged. The semi-classical two-band conduction model was applied for quantitative analysis of magnetoresistivity and Hall resistivity. The Carrier concentrations of all the samples were of the order of 1018 cm−3, with BiSbTe3 having nearly equal hole and electron concentrations. The mobilities of all samples fell within the range of 104 cm2/V.S, which was quite high. All these phenomena were described in deference to various underlying transport mechanisms.