Nonlinear transport and radio frequency rectification in BiTeBr at room temperature

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Second-order nonlinear transport materials are key for Radio Frequency (RF) rectification.
• Practical applications require room temperature operation and sensitivity to low-power RF signals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate BiTeBr's potential for efficient RF rectification at room temperature.
• To investigate the underlying mechanisms and tunability of its nonlinear response.

Main Methods:

• Experimental characterization of BiTeBr's nonlinear transport properties up to 350 K.
• Scaling and symmetry analysis to identify dominant scattering mechanisms.
• Electrical tuning of Fermi energy to switch the nonlinear response sign.
• Theoretical analysis of Rashba spin-orbit interactions (SOI).

Main Results:

• BiTeBr exhibits a giant nonlinear response persistent up to 350 K.
• Skew scattering identified as the dominant nonlinear transport mechanism.
• Nonlinear response sign is electrically switchable.
• Large Rashba SOI is proposed as the microscopic origin.
• BiTeBr rectifies 0.2-6 GHz radiation at room temperature with -15 dBm input power without external bias.

Conclusions:

• BiTeBr is a promising material for room-temperature RF rectification.
• Materials with large Rashba SOI are suitable for harvesting ambient electromagnetic energy.
• Demonstrated potential for low-power, high-frequency energy harvesting applications.