Two-dimensionality of metallic surface conduction in Co3Sn2S2 thin films

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) surface of the topological materials is an attractive channel for the electrical conduction reflecting the linearly-dispersive electronic bands. Thickness-dependent sheet conductance measurement is a reliable method to evaluate the 2D and three-dimensional (3D) electrical conducting channel separately but has rarely been applied for Weyl semimetals. By applying this method to thin films of a Weyl semimetal Co₃Sn₂S₂, here we show that the 2D conducting channel clearly emerges under the ferromagnetic phase, indicating a formation of the Fermi arcs projected from Weyl nodes. Comparison between 3D conductivity and 2D conductance provides the effective thickness of the surface conducting region being estimated to be approximately 20 nm, which would reflect the Weyl feature of electronic bands of the Co₃Sn₂S₂. The emergent surface conduction will provide a pathway to activate quantum and spintronic transport features stemming from a Weyl node in thin-film-based devices.