Exotic Dirac Cones on the Band Structure of α-STF2I3 at Ambient Temperature and Pressure

Abstract

The quasi-two-dimensional molecular semimetallic conductor $\alpha$-STF$_2$I$_3$ is isostructural with $\alpha$-ET$_2$I$_3$.The latter possesses a unique band structure showing a zero-gap state with Dirac cones under high pressure, whereas the band structure of the former has been elusive because of heavy disorder at all the donor sites. To elucidate the band structure of $\alpha$-STF$_2$I$_3$, a theoretical method based on the observed atomic parameters at 296 K and 1 bar has been proposed. The results suggest that the STF salt should have a band structure with Dirac cones under ambient pressure and temperature, which should promote future experimental studies on this system.Using the extended H\"uckel method, we demonstrate that the Dirac points of $\alpha$-STF$_2$I$_3$ are aligned to be symmetric with respect to a time reversal invariant momentum (TRIM). Such novel Dirac cones, where the energy difference between the conduction and valence bands has considerable anisotropy, are clarified in terms of the parity of the wavefunction at the TRIM. We propose the conductivity measurement on the present $\alpha$-STF$_2$I$_3$, which is expected to show a large anisotropy as a characteristic of the present Dirac electrons.