Giant Third-Order Nonlinear Hall Effect in Misfit Layer Compound (SnS)_1.17(NbS₂)₃

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Quantum Phenomena

Background:

• The nonlinear Hall effect (NLHE) is crucial for understanding band geometry and current rectification.
• Third-order nonlinear Hall effect (THE) is governed by the Berry Connection Polarizability tensor.
• THE is typically prohibited in materials like NbS2 and SnS due to crystal symmetry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate and investigate a giant third-order nonlinear Hall effect (THE) in a misfit layer compound.
• To explore the role of interface engineering and symmetry breaking in inducing THE.
• To correlate the observed THE with band geometry modulation.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a superlattice compound (SnS)1.17(NbS2)3 by introducing a SnS monolayer.
• Experimental measurement of angular-dependent third-order nonlinear Hall effect.
• Analysis of scaling relationships to understand the underlying physics.

Main Results:

• A giant third-order nonlinear Hall effect was observed in (SnS)1.17(NbS2)3, orders of magnitude stronger than previously reported.
• THE emerged in the superlattice despite being prohibited in individual constituent layers.
• Observed THE correlated with band geometry modulation and symmetry breaking induced by the interface.

Conclusions:

• Interface engineering in misfit layer compounds can induce and enhance novel quantum phenomena like THE.
• The study highlights the potential of modulating structural and electronic geometries for discovering new quantum effects.
• The findings open avenues for applications in advanced electronic devices and fundamental physics research.