Magnetotransport properties in antimony single crystals*

The magnetoresistance of antimony single crystals has been measured with the measuring current perpendicular and parallel to the magnetic field, respectively. Extremely large positive transverse magnetoresistance (TMR) up to 1,000,000% was obtained in a magnetic field of 7 T. Field dependence of TMR followed the power law MR ∝ H^2a in all measured temperatures from 2 K to 300 K. The extremely large TMR is attributed to the well compensated electron and hole carriers with high mobility. A very pronounced negative longitudinal magnetoresistance (LMR) at high field and a valley at zero field was observed. The general behavior appears to be consistent with the chiral magneto effect predicted in quantum solids. Moreover, a very unusual negative potential from voltage leads was detected by IV curve, dc, and ac resistance measurements at high magnetic field. This observation cannot be understood in terms of available theories and may be related to some exotic topological characteristics predicted for antimony.