Spin–orbit coupling and quantum linear magnetoresistance of PbTe thin films

Abstract

We have achieved the epitaxial growth of PbTe thin films on SrTiO3 substrates. The in-plane magnetoconductivity exhibits a transition from a quadratic to a linear relationship as the applied magnetic field approaches a critical threshold B*, with the critical field B* characterizing a quadratic temperature dependence, revealing the quantum nature of the linear magnetoresistance. The three-dimensional (3D) nature of weak anti-localization combined with the observed angular dependence anisotropy in magnetoresistance and Hall resistance ρxy, further indicates that spin–orbit coupling plays a special role in these phenomena. Additionally, the anisotropy can be attributed to a combination of factors, including electron–electron interactions and electron–phonon interactions, strain effects, and the intricate interplay between classical and quantum transport phenomena.