Two-dimensional topological semimetals protected by symmorphic symmetries

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) band crossing semimetals (BCSMs) could be used to build a range of novel nanoscale devices such as superlenses and transistors. We find that symmorphic symmetry can protect a new type of robust 2D BCSMs, unlike the previously proposed 2D essential BCSMs protected by non-symmorphic symmetry [Young et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 126803 (2015)]. This type of symmorphic symmetry protected (SSP) 2D essential BCSMs cannot be pair annihilated without destroying the crystalline symmetries, as opposed to the 2D BCSMs caused by the accidental band crossing. Through group theory analysis, we find that 2D SSP BCSMs can only exist at the K (K') point of Brillouin zone (BZ) of four layer groups and identify nonmagnetic 2D FeB2 as a candidate. Interestingly, nonmagnetic 2D SSP BCSMs can host a single pair of band crossing points (BCPs), whereas nonmagnetic three-dimensional (3D) Weyl semimetals (WSMs) have at least two pairs of band crossing Weyl points. It is found that the single pair of BCPs are robust against any kinds of strain. Furthermore, our calculation suggests that essential 2D SSP BCSMs can be used to realize electric field control of spin-texture, thus are promising candidates for spintronic devices.