Nodal-line semimetal superlattices

J Phys Condens Matter. 2018 Dec 19;30(50):505301. doi: 10.1088/1361-648X/aaeabe. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Abstract

Spatial modulations, such as superlattices, to realize topological materials have recently been studied in theoretical and experimental works. In this paper, we investigate properties of the superlattices of the nodal-line semimetal and the normal insulator. We consider two types of superlattices, with the stacking direction being perpendicular or parallel to the plane where the nodal line lies. In particular, we show that when the stacking direction is parallel to the plane, the nodal lines remain but they change their shapes because of the folding of the Brillouin zone. We also study the superlattices with magnetization. One can expect that the quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) phase emerges in some cases, depending on the direction of the magnetization. If the magnetization is along the C 2-invariant axis, the superlattice becomes the Weyl semimetal phase if the C 2-invariant axis intersects the nodal lines, and otherwise it becomes the QAH phase.