Phonon-induced magnetoresistivity of Weyl semimetal nanowires

Abstract

We study longitudinal magnetotransport in disorder-free cylindrical Weyl semimetal nanowires. Our theory includes a magnetic flux Φ piercing the nanowire and captures the finite curvature of the Fermi arc in the surface Brillouin zone through a boundary angle α. Electron backscattering by acoustic phonons via the deformation potential causes a finite resistivity which we evaluate by means of the semiclassical Boltzmann approach. We find that low-energy transport is dominated by surface states, where transport observables are highly sensitive to the angle α and to Aharonov-Bohm phases due to Φ. A generic subband dispersion relation allows for either one or two pairs of Fermi points. In the latter case, intra-node backscattering is possible and implies a parametrically larger resistivity than for a single Fermi point pair. As a consequence, large and abrupt resistivity changes take place across the transition points separating parameter regions with a different number of Fermi point pairs in a given subband.

Transport, refraction and interface arcs in junctions of Weyl semimetals

“…In this situation, two Fermi arcs are present on the lateral surfaces at y = 0 and y = L and transport chiral current in the x direction. These states are responsible for the large surface contributions to electric transport in different geometries and setups [13,[59][60][61]. The transmission of the surface current carried by these states at the interface depends on the twist angle θ.…”