First-principles calculations for topological quantum materials

Abstract

Discoveries of topological states and topological materials reshape our understanding of physics and materials over the last 15 years. First-principles calculations have been playing a significant role in bridging the theory of topology and experiments by predicting realistic topological materials. In this article, we overview the first-principles methodology on topological quantum materials. First, we unify different concepts of topological states in the same band inversion scenario. Then, we discuss the topology using first-principles band structures and newly-established topological materials databases. We stress challenges in characterizing symmetry-independent Weyl semimetals and calculating topological surface states, closing with an outlook on the exciting transport and optical phenomena induced by the topology.