Electronic state of a CoO2 layer with hexagonal structure: a Kagomé lattice structure in a triangular lattice

The electronic state in layered cobalt oxides with a hexagonal structure is examined. We find that the electronic structure reflects the nature of the Kagomé lattice hidden in the CoO2 layer which consists of stacked triangular lattices of oxygen ions and of cobalt ions. A fundamental model for the electron system is proposed, and the mechanism of the unique transport and magnetic properties of the cobalt oxides are discussed in light of the model.