Observation of a thermoelectric Hall plateau in the extreme quantum limit

The thermoelectric Hall effect is the generation of a transverse heat current upon applying an electric field in the presence of a magnetic field. Here, we demonstrate that the thermoelectric Hall conductivity α x y in the three-dimensional Dirac semimetal ZrTe 5 acquires a robust plateau in the extreme quantum limit of magnetic field. The plateau value is independent of the field strength, disorder strength, carrier concentration, or carrier sign. We explain this plateau theoretically and show that it is a unique signature of three-dimensional Dirac or Weyl electrons in the extreme quantum limit. We further find that other thermoelectric coefficients, such as the thermopower and Nernst coefficient, are greatly enhanced over their zero-field values even at relatively low fields. A sufficiently strong magnetic field drives an electron system into the so-called extreme quantum limit. Zhang et al. demonstrate that in this regime, a Dirac semimetal acquires a robust plateau in the thermoelectric Hall conductivity, with a value independent of magnetic field or electron concentration.