Pressure-induced electronic band evolution and observation of superconductivity in the Dirac semimetal
Phys. Rev. B 113, 195113 – Published 14 May, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/9td2-1lry
Abstract
We report a comprehensive investigation of the pressure effects on the magnetotransport properties of the topological material within 1–8 GPa pressure range. With increasing pressure, the characteristic peak () in its electrical resistivity first shifts to higher temperature and then moves quickly towards the lower temperature before disappearing eventually at 6 GPa. Beyond 6 GPa, the system exhibits metallic behavior across the entire temperature range, and superconductivity emerges below at 8 GPa. Based on the systematic magnetotransport measurement under pressure, we demonstrate that the superconductivity occurs following a significant electronic structure modulation, possibly due to pressure induced structural changes near 6 GPa, which coincides with dramatic enhancement of the magnetoresistance (MR) reaching up to . Our experimental results are substantiated by density functional theory calculations as the application of pressure drastically alters the density of states near the Fermi level. Notably, multiple hole pockets emerge at the Fermi level from 4 GPa onward, and their contributions are further enhanced with increasing pressure. The combined experimental and theoretical investigation reveals a comprehensive evolution of electronic structure of Dirac semimetal under pressure and suggest a possible link between the Fermi surface reconstruction in the pressure range of structural transition and the emergence of superconductivity.