Control of band structure in the altermagnetic candidate MnTe by temperature and strain

The temperature and strain dependences of the optical conductivity spectrum of hexagonal manganese telluride (MnTe) were measured, revealing absorption in the terahertz (THz) region from spin-split bands to acceptor levels. The temperature dependence of the THz absorption peak is consistent with that of a ferromagnetic phase transition, even though MnTe exhibits no net magnetism. The temperature dependence was attributed to a change in the altermagnetic electronic structure. Under negative uniaxial strain, the THz peak shifts to the high-energy side, suggesting spin-splitting bands at energies away from EF, consistent with the theoretical prediction that the spin-splitting angle decreases. The observed behavior of the THz peak clearly shows that MnTe has the altermagnetic electronic structure. Additionally, a Fano-like asymmetric line shape in the optical phonon absorption was observed, possibly originating from interactions with the alternative spin-split bands.