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

Abstract
We present a model which gives a 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, gives physical insight on the insulating, metallic, or semimetallic electronic nature of these silicides. In this theoretical frame, WSi2 is predicted to be a strictly compensated semimetal. Extensive electrical measurements performed on various WSi2 thin films are consistent with this prediction and indicate that the free‐carrier density is less than 3×1021 cm3.