Symmetry-enforced straight nodal-line phonons

Abstract

Based on first-principles calculations and effective model analysis, all possible straight nodal-line phonons in symmorphic space groups are uncovered. A classification of two-band ${\textbf{k}}\cdot {\textbf{p}}$ models at an arbitrary point on the nodal lines is carried out, and these nodal-line phonons are found to locate along the high symmetry lines of the Brillouin zone. According to our classification, there are two types of nodal-line phonons in symmorphic space groups. The first type possesses a linear dispersion perpendicular to the nodal lines, while the second type exhibits a quadratic dispersion. The underlying mechanisms are revealed by symmetry analysis, and the types of nodal-line phonons can be distinguished through the little group of the high symmetry lines. Our work not only classifies nodal-line phonons but also provides guidance to search for topological nodal lines in bosonic systems.