Work

Relativistic Effects in LaBi$_2$ Thin Films

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: Chemical substitution in crystalline quantum materials is a powerful way to explore the consequences of strong spin-orbit coupling on their structural and electronic properties. In this work, we present an investigation of thin films of the La$\textit{Pn}_2$ ($\textit{Pn}$~=~Sb, Bi) class of layered square-net intermetallics. We report the growth of LaBi$_2$ with a pristine layer-by-layer growth mode, classifying it as a good metal displaying superconductivity at $\sim$0.55~K. Compared to LaSb$_2$, we attribute the enhanced metallic behavior and improved growth dynamics of LaBi$_2$ to significant relativistic corrections to its electronic band structure and the resulting impact on both surface energy and intrinsic phonon scattering.

Source: arXiv (Cornell University)

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2602.09975

Authors: Dorrian, Reiley, Song, Sungmin, Kim, Jinwoong, Ohno, Mizuki, Jhi, Seung-Hoon, Kioussis, Nicholas, Falson, Joseph

Institutions: California Institute of Technology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, California State University, Northridge, Korea Institute for Advanced Study

Language: English

Topic: Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism

Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, California Institute of Technology, California State University, Northridge, Institute for Quantum Information and Matter, California Institute of Technology, Division of Materials Research

Awards: CSUN/Caltech-IQIM Partnership, Center: Institute for Quantum Information and Matter: IQIM, Joseph Falson, Moore Fellow in Materials Synthesis, G6020731938, Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), Equipment: MRI: Track 1 Acquisition of an Advanced Beowulf Cluster for Quantum Information and Materials Research and Education

OpenAlex ID: W7128605841

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