Ultrahigh carrier mobility in Cd3As2 nanowires

Magnetotransport measurements were carried out on nanowires of the Dirac semimetal Cd3As2. Weak anti-localization was observed at 1.9 K, consistent with the presence of strong spin-orbit interaction. With decreasing temperature, Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations were seen, revealing an ultrahigh mobility of ≈57,000 cm2V−1s−1 at 1.9 K. The strong oscillations display a linear dependence of the Landau level index on the inverse of the magnetic field, yielding an intercept that is consistent with a π Berry phase — the signature feature of Dirac fermions. By studying the fundamental properties of Dirac materials, new avenues can be explored by exploiting their unique properties for spintronics and magneto-electronic devices.