Magneto-resistance in pristine and irradiated TaAs2

Here we report the single crystal synthesis, characterization and the systematic study of the magneto-transport and magnetization measurements up to a magnetic field of 14 T and down to 3 K from room temperature in the semimetal TaAs2. By experiments on magneto-transport in pristine and irradiated samples, it is inferred that the turn on temperature behavior in the resistivity measurements is better analyzed based on Kohler’s rule, rather than as arising due to a metal insulator transition. The absence of negative longitudinal magneto-resistance in TaAs2 has been confirmed by careful measurements on both pristine and irradiated samples. The low energy ion irradiation altered the surface states that were reflected in the suppression of de Haas van Alphen oscillations. Hall analysis reaffirmed the role of multiple carriers, electrons and holes, in the magneto-transport of this class of materials.