Edge states in a two-dimensional nonsymmorphic semimetal

Abstract

Dirac materials have unique transport properties, partly due to the presence of surface states. A new type of Dirac materials, protected by non-symmorphic symmetries was recently proposed by Young and Kane [1]. By breaking of time reversal or inversion symmetry one can split the Dirac cones into Weyl nodes. The later are characterized by local Chern numbers, that makes them two-dimensional analogs of Weyl semimetals. We find that the formation of the Weyl nodes is accompanied by an emergence of one-dimensional surface states, similar to Fermi arcs in Weyl semimetals and edge states in two-dimensional graphene. We explore these states for a quasi-one-dimensional non-symmorphic ribbon. The type and strength of applied deformation control the location and Weyl nodes and their composition. This determines the properties of emerging edge states. The sensitivity of these edge states to the external deformations makes non-symmorphic materials potentially useful as a new type of electromechanical sensors.