Semi-classical origin of the extreme magnetoresistance in PtSn<sub>4</sub>.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 38811582.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-024-48709-z and PMC identifier 11137119.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
The so-called "extreme magnetoresistance" (XMR) found in few conductors poses interesting conceptual challenges which address needs in technology. In contrast to the more common XMR in semi-metals, PtSn<sub>4</sub> stands out as a rare example of a high carrier density multi-band metal exhibiting XMR, sparking an active debate about its microscopic origin. Here we report a sharp sensitivity of its XMR upon the field angle, with an almost complete collapse only for one specific current and field direction (B//b, I//a). Corroborated by band-structure calculations, we identify a singular open orbit on one of its Fermi surface sheets as the origin of this collapse. This remarkably switchable XMR resolves the puzzle in PtSn<sub>4</sub> as a semi-classical effect of an ultra-pure, compensated carrier metal. It further showcases the importance of Ockham's razor in uncommon magnetotransport phenomena and demonstrates the remarkable physical properties conventional metals can exhibit given they are superbly clean.