Charge density wave induced nodal lines in LaTe₃.

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Topological Materials

Background:

• LaTe3 is a non-centrosymmetric material hosting charge density waves in its Te bilayers.
• Materials with time reversal symmetry can host exotic topological electronic states.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and confirm the presence of a Kramers nodal line in LaTe3.
• To understand the electronic band structure and topological properties of LaTe3.

Main Methods:

• Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES)
• Density functional theory (DFT) calculations
• Band structure calculations using band unfolding
• Symmetry analysis

Main Results:

• Experimental and theoretical evidence confirms a Kramers nodal line in LaTe3.
• The nodal line leads to gapless crossings between charge density wave-induced shadow bands and main bands.
• These crossings occur at the Fermi level with high Fermi velocity, and spinless nodal lines are formed.

Conclusions:

• LaTe3 hosts a topologically non-trivial Kramers nodal line.
• The interplay between charge density waves and spin-orbit coupling dictates the observed electronic structure.