Electrical transport properties of Weyl semimetal WTe2 under high pressure

Abstract

Tungsten ditelluride (WTe2) has recently become one of the most extensively investigated materials as a Weyl semimetal with an orthorhombic Td phase due to its unique properties, including its pressure-induced superconductivity and unsaturated giant magnetoresistance. The electrical resistivity, photoconductivity, and Hall effect under high pressures are considered in WTe2 using in situ measurements up to 40 GPa. The structural phase transition is reflected from the Td to 1T′ phase at approximately 11 GPa based on the discontinuous electrical parameters. The abrupt increase of resistivity is caused by a joint decrease in the carrier concentration and mobility. The semimetal-to-semiconductor transition is apparent at around 11 GPa based on the resistivity measurements under different temperatures, and the transition is reversible due to the structural phase transition. The photoconductivity is much higher than the conductivity, and the phase transition pressure is lower at approximately 9.6 GPa. Electrical transport properties of Weyl Semimetal WTe2 are investigated under high pressure, and pressure-induced semiconductor transition is confirmed.