Kramers nodal line metals.
Ying-Ming Xie1, Xue-Jian Gao1, Xiao Yan Xu2
1Department of Physics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
Nature Communications
|May 25, 2021
Summary
All achiral non-centrosymmetric metals with spin-orbit coupling (SOC) are topological, forming new Kramers nodal line metals (KNLMs). These materials exhibit unique Fermi surfaces and can be parent states for Kramers Weyl semimetals (KWSs).
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Topological Materials
Background:
- Chiral crystals with spin-orbit coupling (SOC) can be Kramers Weyl semimetals (KWSs).
- KWSs feature Weyl points at time-reversal invariant momenta.
- A gap exists in understanding topological classifications for achiral materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce a new class of topological materials: Kramers nodal line metals (KNLMs).
- Investigate the properties and topological characteristics of KNLMs.
- Establish the relationship between KNLMs and KWSs.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of electronic band structures.
- Identification of Kramers nodal lines (KNLs) in achiral non-centrosymmetric materials with SOC.
- Characterization of Fermi surface topologies (spindle torus and octdong types).
Main Results:
- KNLMs possess doubly degenerate Kramers nodal lines connecting time-reversal invariant momenta.
- Octdong Fermi surfaces host electrons described by 2D massless Dirac Hamiltonians.
- KNLMs support quantized optical conductance in thin films and act as parent states for KWSs.
Conclusions:
- All non-centrosymmetric metals with SOC are topological, existing as either KNLMs or KWSs.
- KNLMs represent a novel class of topological matter with unique electronic properties.
- This work expands the classification of topological materials beyond chiral systems.
More Related Videos
13:56Probe Type II Band Alignment in One-Dimensional Van Der Waals Heterostructures Using First-Principles Calculations
Published on: October 12, 2019
7.8K
06:53Author Spotlight: Magnetometric Characterization of Intermediates in the Solid-State Electrochemistry of Redox-Active Metal-Organic Frameworks
Published on: June 9, 2023
2.3K
Related Concept Videos
04:00Periodic Classification of the Elements
54.6K
The periodic table arranges atoms based on increasing atomic number so that elements with the same chemical properties recur periodically. When their electron configurations are added to the table, a periodic recurrence of similar electron configurations in the outer shells of these elements is observed. Because they are in the outer shells of an atom, valence electrons play the most important role in chemical reactions. The outer electrons have the highest energy of the electrons in an atom...
54.6K
02:58Properties of Transition Metals
28.1K
Transition metals are defined as those elements that have partially filled d orbitals. As shown in Figure 1, the d-block elements in groups 3–12 are transition elements. The f-block elements, also called inner transition metals (the lanthanides and actinides), also meet this criterion because the d orbital is partially occupied before the f orbitals.
28.1K
02:32Bonding in Metals
49.8K
Metallic bonds are formed between two metal atoms. A simplified model to describe metallic bonding has been developed by Paul Drüde called the “Electron Sea Model”.
49.8K
02:37Metallic Solids
19.8K
Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
19.8K
01:17Theory of Metallic Conduction
1.5K
The conduction of free electrons inside a conductor is best described by quantum mechanics. However, a classical model makes predictions close to the results of quantum mechanics. It is called the theory of metallic conduction.
In this theory, Newton's second law of motion is used to determine the acceleration of an electron in the presence of an applied electric field. Then, its velocity is expressed via this acceleration.
An electron moves through the crystal, containing positive ions,...
In this theory, Newton's second law of motion is used to determine the acceleration of an electron in the presence of an applied electric field. Then, its velocity is expressed via this acceleration.
An electron moves through the crystal, containing positive ions,...
1.5K
03:26Electron Configuration of Multielectron Atoms
61.7K
The alkali metal sodium (atomic number 11) has one more electron than the neon atom. This electron must go into the lowest-energy subshell available, the 3s orbital, giving a 1s22s22p63s1 configuration. The electrons occupying the outermost shell orbital(s) (highest value of n) are called valence electrons, and those occupying the inner shell orbitals are called core electrons. Since the core electron shells correspond to noble gas electron configurations, we can abbreviate electron...
61.7K