Change in the Sign of the Magnetoresistance and the Two-Dimensional Conductivity of the Layered Quasi-One-Dimensional Semiconductor TiS3

Abstract

The dependences of the resistance of the layered quasi-one-dimensional semiconductor TiS₃ on the direction and magnitude of the magnetic field B have been measured. The anisotropy and angular dependences of the magnetoresistance indicate the two-dimensional character of the conductivity at T < 100 K. Below T₀ ≈ 50 K, the magnetoresistance for the directions of the field in the plane of the layers (ab plane) increases sharply, whereas the transverse magnetoresistance (B ∥ c) becomes negative. The results confirm the possibility of an electron phase transition to a collective state at T₀. The negative magnetoresistance (at B ∥ c) below T₀ is explained by the magnetic-field-induced suppression of two-dimensional weak localization. The positive magnetoresistance (at B ∥ ab) is explained by the effect of the magnetic field on the spectrum of electronic states.