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Probing intraband excitations in ZrTe$_5$: a high-pressure infrared and transport study

Zirconium pentatetelluride, ZrTe5, shows remarkable sensitivity to hydrostatic pressure. In this work we address the high-pressure transport and optical properties of this compound, on samples grown by flux and charge vapor transport. The high-pressure resistivity is measured up to 2 GPa, and the infrared transmission up to 9 GPa. The dc conductivity anisotropy is determined using a microstructured sample. Together, the transport and optical measurements allow us to discern band parameters with and without the hydrostatic pressure, in particular the Fermi level, and the effective mass in the less conducting, out-of-plane direction. The results are interpreted within a simple two-band model characterized by a Dirac-like, linear in-plane band dispersion, and a parabolic out-of-plane dispersion.