Topological nodal-line fermions in spin-orbit metal PbTaSe2

Topological semimetals can support one-dimensional Fermi lines or zero-dimensional Weyl points in momentum space, where the valence and conduction bands touch. While the degeneracy points in Weyl semimetals are robust against any perturbation that preserves translational symmetry, nodal lines require protection by additional crystalline symmetries such as mirror reflection. Here we report, based on a systematic theoretical study and a detailed experimental characterization, the existence of topological nodal-line states in the non-centrosymmetric compound PbTaSe2 with strong spin-orbit coupling. Remarkably, the spin-orbit nodal lines in PbTaSe2 are not only protected by the reflection symmetry but also…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy

  Awards: -AC02-05CH11231, DE-FG-02-05ER46200, 05CH11231, FG02-07ER46352, AC02-05CH11231, DE-AC02, DE-FG02-07ER46352, DE-FG02-, DE-AC02-05CH11231, DE-FG02, DE-AC02-
• GA
  Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

  Award: GBMF4547
• PU
  Princeton University

  Award: GBMF4547
• NC
  National Center for Theoretical Sciences
• NE
  National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center

  Awards: 05CH11231, AC02-05CH11231
• NR
  National Research Foundation

  Award: NRF-NRFF2013-03
• NR
  National Research Foundation Singapore

  Awards: NRF-NRFF2013-03, DE-AC02-05CH11231
• NS
  National Science Council
• AS
  Academia Sinica

  Award: NM004
• NT
  National Taiwan University
• OO
  Office of Science

  Awards: AC02-05CH11231, -AC02-05CH11231, DE-FG02-07ER46352, DE-AC02
• NK
  National Key Research and Development Program of China

  Awards: 2014CB239302, DE-AC02-05CH11231, 2013CB921901
• BE
  Basic Energy Sciences

  Awards: DE-AC02, AC02-05CH11231, DE-FG-02-05ER46200, DE-AC02-05CH11231, DE-FG02, DE-FG02-07ER46352, -AC02-05CH11231