Bulk Fermi surface of the layered superconductor TaSe3 with three-dimensional strong topological insulator state

Abstract

High magnetic field transport measurements and ab initio calculations on the layered superconductor TaSe3 have provided compelling evidences for the existence of a three-dimensional strong topological insulator state. Longitudinal magnetotransport measurements up to ~ 33 T unveiled striking Shubnikov-de Hass oscillations with two fundamental frequencies at 100 T and 175 T corresponding to a nontrivial electron Fermi pocket at the B point and a nontrivial hole Fermi pocket at the Γ point respectively in the Brillouin zone. However, calculations revealed one more electron pocket at the B point, which was not detected by the magnetotransport measurements, presumably due to the limited carrier momentum relaxation time. Angle dependent quantum oscillations by rotating the sample with respect to the magnetic field revealed clear changes in the two fundamental frequencies, indicating anisotropic electronic Fermi pockets. The ab initio calculations gave the topological Z2 invariants of (1; 100) and revealed a single Dirac cone on the (1 0 -1) surface at the X point with helical spin texture at a constant-energy contour, suggesting a strong topological insulator state. The results demonstrate TaSe3 an excellent platform to study the interplay between topological phase and superconductivity and a promising system for the exploration of topological superconductivity.