Fermi surface investigation of the semimetal TaAs₂

The transversal magnetoresistance associated with the semimetal TaAs₂ shows a parabolic field dependence that rises unrestrictedly to 2800 at 14 T and 1.8 K. Here, we report the results of a comprehensive quantum-oscillation study. Angular-dependent de Haas–van Alphen (dHvA) data were obtained with the method of cantilever-torque magnetometry. These were compared with the results of density-functional theory calculations, which predict a Fermi surface with two kinds of electron pockets, as well as two types of hole pockets. Only the electron pockets could be xperimentally verified, whereas no evidence for the hole pockets is present in the measured dHvA frequencies.