Negative differential resistance and quantum oscillations in FeSb 2 with embedded antimony
We present a systematical study on single crystalline FeSb 2 using electrical transport and magnetic torque measurements at low temperatures. Nonlinear magnetic field dependence of Hall resistivity demonstrates a multi-carrier transport instinct of the electronic transport. Current-controlled negative differential resistance (CC-NDR) observed in current–voltage characteristics below ~ 7 K is closely associated with the intrinsic transition ~ 5 K of FeSb 2 , which is, however, mediated by extrinsic current-induced Joule heating effect. The antimony crystallized in a preferred orientation within the FeSb 2 lattice in the high-temperature synthesis process leaves its fingerprint in the de Haas-Van Alphen (dHvA) oscillations, and results in the regular angular dependence of the oscillating frequencies. Nevertheless, possible existence of intrinsic non-trivial states cannot be completely ruled out. Our findings call for further theoretical and experimental studies to explore novel physics on flux-free grown FeSb 2 crystals.