Field-angle dependence of magnetoresistance in UTe2

Abstract

We theoretically study angle-resolved magnetoresistance under rotated magnetic field in the normal state of a spin-triplet superconductor UTe$_2$. The Wannier model derived from a GGA+$U$ calculation shows quasi-two-dimensional Fermi surfaces with warping in the $k_z$ direction, consistent with quantum oscillation measurements in the high magnetic field regime. Solving the semiclassical Boltzmann equation, we show that the Fermi surface geometry gives rise to oscillations in the magnetoresistance when the field is tilted from the $c$ axis toward the $a$ or $b$ axis. By assuming a band-dependent relaxation time, the calculated angle-resolved magnetoresistance is in good agreement with the recent transport experiment. This is direct evidence for the warped Fermi surface revealed by ordinary intraband transport. It suggests that the hole band with long relaxation time dominates electron transport. The field angle dependence of the Hall resistivity is calculated for further experimental verification.