H -linear magnetoresistance in NbSe 2 due to impeded cyclotron motion
- Arwin Kool
- Davide Pizzirani
- Paul Tinnemans
- Steffen Wiedmann
- Felix Flicker
- Jasper van Wezel
- Nigel E. Hussey
- Roemer D. H. Hinlopen
2026-04-29
Linear magnetoresistance (LMR) is a widespread phenomenon observed in a host of quantum materials ranging from semiconductor nanostructures to quantum critical and strange metals. While multiple scenarios to explain LMR have been proposed, a complete understanding of the phenomenon remains elusive. It is highly likely that the origin of LMR depends on the specific electronic state. Here, we report a study of the impact of disorder on the form of the magnetoresistance of the prototypical charge-density-wave (CDW) compound 2 H -NbSe 2 . The magnetoresistance is shown to exhibit strong qualitative and quantitative agreement with Boltzmann transport analysis incorporating impeded cyclotron motion (ICM). We identify the source of ICM in 2 H -NbSe 2 as strong scattering sinks where the CDW order connects the high-temperature Fermi cylinders. Such unusual “hotspots” provide an explanation for the observed LMR as well as for the long-unexplained absence of quantum oscillations inside the charge-ordered state in 2 H -NbSe 2 . These findings provide strong evidence that ICM generates LMR in certain correlated metals.