Ideal Type-II Weyl Phase and Topological Transition in Phononic Crystals.

Abstract

Ideal Weyl points, which are related by symmetry and thus reside at the same frequency, could offer further insight into the Weyl physics. The ideal type-I Weyl points have been observed in photonic crystals, but the ideal type-II Weyl points with tilted conelike band dispersions are still not realized. Here we present the observation of the ideal type-II Weyl points of the minimal number in three-dimensional phononic crystals and, in the meantime, the topological phase transition from the Weyl semimetal to the valley insulators of two distinct types. The Fermi-arc surface states are shown to exist on the surfaces of the Weyl phase, and the Fermi-circle surface states are also observed, but on the interface of the two distinct valley phases. Intriguing wave partition of the Fermi-circle surface states is demonstrated.