Intrinsic single crystals of MnTe altermagnet

We report the synthesis methodology, structure, and intrinsic properties of ultra-high quality single crystals of MnTe, an archetypal altermagnet. The crystals, obtained from self-flux method, are nearly free from crystal imperfections and disproportionate chemical compositions as seen by various investigation methods. In measurements under quasi free-standing configuration minimizing stress induced effects, the crystals exhibit complex and anisotropic domain kinetics in both superheating and supercooling regimes around the altermagnetic transition at $T_{\mathrm{N}} = 310\,\mathrm{K}$. An Anderson insulating state is observed below $T_{\mathrm{MI}}\approx 150\,\mathrm{K}$ with a carrier density of about $1.6\times 10^{17}\,\mathrm{cm}^{-3}$, being sharply contrast to metallic states usually seen in Te-deficit samples. Nevertheless, hallmarks of altermagnetism, anomalous Hall effect and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism signal, are robust in this intrinsic limit, however with significantly reduced magnitudes.