Magnetic and electronic properties of a topological nodal line semimetal candidate: HoSbTe

Abstract

We report the experimental and theoretical studies of a magnetic topological nodal line semimetal candidate HoSbTe. Single crystals of HoSbTe are grown from Sb flux, crystallizing in a tetragonal layered structure (space group: $P4/nmm$, no. 129), in which the Ho-Te bilayer is separated by the square-net Sb layer. The magnetization and specific heat present distinct anomalies at \ensuremath{\sim}4 K related to an antiferromagnetic (AFM) phase transition. Meanwhile, with applying magnetic field perpendicular and parallel to the crystallographic $c$ axis, an obvious magnetic anisotropy is observed. Electrical resistivity undergoes a bad-metal-like state below 200 K and reveals a plateau at about 8 K followed by a drop due to the AFM transition. In addition, with the first-principle calculations of band structure, we find that HoSbTe is a topological nodal line semimetal or a weak topological insulator with or without taking the spin-orbit coupling into account, providing a platform to investigate the interplay between magnetic and topological fermionic properties.