Topological phase transition in non-centrosymmetric semiconductor Te under pressure

Tellurium is a semiconductor which has the chiral crystal structure without inversion symmetry. Although semiconducting electronic properties and optical properties have been studied over the years, it is attracting renewed interest in recent years due to the non-centrosymmetric crystal structure and strong spin-orbit interaction. For example, current-induced magnetization has been experimentally confirmed [1] and topological phase transition from semiconductor to Weyl semimetal was also theoretically predicted [2].
In this presentation, we report the transport properties of Te under pressure. Magnetoresistance shows Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations at low temperature. By applying the hydrostatic pressure, oscillation period changes, reflecting the pressure-induced band deformation. We discuss the possibilities of Lifshitz transition (change of Fermi surface topology originating from the characteristic band evolution) and topological phase transition under high pressure.
[1] T. Furukawa et al., Nat. Commun. 8, 954 (2017)
[2] M. Hirayama et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 206401 (2015).