Metallic hole conduction in CuS

The electrical resistivity, Hall coefficient, magnetoresistance, and magnetic susceptibility of CuS are reported. The compound exhibits excellent metallic conduction among 3 d transition metal sulfides. A peculiar temperature dependence of the Hall coefficient is interpreted in terms of two bands of majority holes and minority electrons. The source of the hole carriers is discussed based on Hall effect data and structural considerations. It is concluded that conduction is due to holes in a valence band which is mainly constituted from the 3 p orbitals of sulfur. A phase transition close to 55 K is confirmed from the temperature dependence of resistivity and the Hall coefficient.