Fermi arcs in tilted Weyl semimetals: Classification, evolution and transport properties

Abstract

The Weyl semimetal is a new quantum state of a topological semimetal, of which topological surface states —the Fermi arcs— exist. The Fermi arcs of Weyl semimetals are classified into two classes, designated class-1 and class-2. Based on a tight-binding model, the evolution and transport properties of these classes are studied via the tilting strength of the bulk Weyl cones. The (residual) anomalous Hall conductivity of the topological surface states is a physical attribute of class-1 Fermi arcs and hence class-1 Fermi arcs become a nontrivial topological property of either a hybrid or a type-II Weyl semimetal. Therefore, this work provides an intuitive method in learning about the topological properties of Weyl semimetals.