Insulating, metallic, or semimetallic electronic nature of XSi2 compounds: Application to WSi2

摘要: We present a model which gives simple interpretation of already published band‐structure calculations in transition‐metal disilicides (i.e., XSi2, where X stands for Co, Ni, Cr, or W). This approach, based on wave function symmetries, physical insight the insulating, metallic, semimetallic electronic nature these silicides. In this theoretical frame, WSi2 is predicted to be strictly compensated semimetal. Extensive electrical measurements performed various thin films are consistent with prediction and indicate that free‐carrier density less than 3×1021 cm−3.