Magnetotransport due to conductivity fluctuations in non-magnetic ZrTe2 nanoplates

Abstract

Transition metal dichalcogenides with nontrivial band structures exhibit various fascinating physical properties and have sparked intensive research interest. Here, we perform systematic magnetotransport measurements on ZrTe2 nanoplates prepared by mechanical exfoliation. We reveal that the negative longitudinal magnetoresistivity observed in the strong field region in the presence of parallel electric and magnetic fields could stem from conductivity fluctuations caused by excess Zr in the nanoplates. In addition, the parametric plot, which shows the planar Hall resistivity as a function of the in-plane anisotropic magnetoresistivity, has an ellipse-shaped pattern with a shifted orbital center, which further strengthens the evidence for the conductivity fluctuations. Our work provides some useful insights into transport phenomena in topological materials.