Fermi surface measurement of ZrB 2 by the de Haas-van Alphen effect

Abstract

The de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) effect in ZrB 2 single crystal has been studied using the field modulation technique. Observed dHvA frequencies in the (10 1 0), (11 2 0) and (0001) planes range from the order of 10 6-10 7 G. The dHvA frequencies, together with a recent APW band structure calculation, show that the Fermi surface of ZrB 2 consists of a set of ring-like electron surfaces around the K points on which the nearly ellipsoidal arms are joined together, and a wrinkled dumbbell-like hole surface at the A point. Estimation of the carrier concentration indicates that ZrB 2 is a semi-metal with 0.04 electrons (holes) per unit cell.