Observation of momentum-dependent charge density wave gap in a layered antiferromagnet [Formula: see text].

Charge density wave (CDW) ordering has been an important topic of study for a long time owing to its connection with other exotic phases such as superconductivity and magnetism. The [Formula: see text] (R = rare-earth elements) family of materials provides a fertile ground to study the dynamics of CDW in van der Waals layered materials, and the presence of magnetism in these materials allows to explore the interplay among CDW and long range magnetic ordering. Here, we have carried out a high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) study of a CDW material [Formula: see text], which is antiferromagnetic below [Formula: see text], along with thermodynamic, electrical transport, magnetic, and Raman measurements. Our ARPES data show a two-fold symmetric Fermi surface with both gapped and ungapped regions indicative of the partial nesting. The gap is momentum dependent, maximum along [Formula: see text] and gradually decreases going towards [Formula: see text]. Our study provides a platform to study the dynamics of CDW and its interaction with other physical orders in two- and three-dimensions.

Electronic structure in a transition metal dipnictide TaAs2.

The family of transition-metal dipnictides has been of theoretical and experimental interest because this family hosts topological states and extremely large magnetoresistance (MR). Recently,TaAs2, a member of this family, has been predicted to support a topological crystalline insulating state. Here, by using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), we reveal both closed and open pockets in the metallic Fermi surface (FS) and linearly dispersive bands on the (2‾01) surface, along with the presence of extreme MR observed from magneto-transport measurements. A comparison of the ARPES results with first-principles computations shows that the linearly dispersive bands on the measured surface ofTaAs2are trivial bulk bands. The absence of symmetry-protected surface state on the (2‾01) surface indicates its topologically dark nature. The presence of open FS features suggests that the open-orbit fermiology could contribute to the extremely large MR ofTaAs2.

Observation of gapped state in rare-earth monopnictide HoSb.

The rare-earth monopnictide family is attracting an intense current interest driven by its unusual extreme magnetoresistance (XMR) property and the potential presence of topologically non-trivial surface states. The experimental observation of non-trivial surface states in this family of materials are not ubiquitous. Here, using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, magnetotransport, and parallel first-principles modeling, we examine the nature of electronic states in HoSb. Although we find the presence of bulk band gaps at the [Formula: see text] and X-symmetry points of the Brillouin zone, we do not find these gaps to exhibit band inversion so that HoSb does not host a Dirac semimetal state. Our magnetotransport measurements indicate that HoSb can be characterized as a correlated nearly-complete electron-hole-compensated semimetal. Our analysis reveals that the nearly perfect electron-hole compensation could drive the appearance of non-saturating XMR effect in HoSb.

Observation of Dirac state in half-Heusler material YPtBi.

The prediction of non-trivial topological electronic states in half-Heusler compounds makes these materials good candidates for discovering new physics and devices as half-Heusler phases harbour a variety of electronic ground states, including superconductivity, antiferromagnetism, and heavy-fermion behaviour. Here, we report a systematic studies of electronic properties of a superconducting half-Heusler compound YPtBi, in its normal state, investigated using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Our data reveal the presence of a Dirac state at the [Formula: see text] point of the Brillouin zone at 500 meV below the Fermi level. We observe the presence of multiple Fermi surface pockets, including two concentric hexagonal and six half-oval shaped pockets at the [Formula: see text] and K points of the Brillouin zone, respectively. Furthermore, our measurements show Rashba-split bands and multiple surface states crossing the Fermi level, this is also supported by the first-principles calculations. Our findings of a Dirac state in YPtBi contribute to the establishing of half-Heusler compounds as a potential platform for novel topological phases.

Experimental observation of drumhead surface states in SrAs3.

The topological nodal-line semimetal (TNS) is a unique class of materials with a one dimensional line node accompanied by a nearly dispersionless two-dimensional surface state. However, a direct observation of the so called drumhead surface state within current nodal-line materials is still elusive. Here, using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) along with first-principles calculations, we report the observation of a topological nodal-loop (TNL) in SrAs3, whereas CaAs3 exhibits a topologically trivial state. Our data reveal that surface projections of the bulk nodal-points are connected by clear drumhead surface states in SrAs3. Furthermore, our magneto-transport and magnetization data clearly suggest the presence (absence) of surface states in SrAs3 (CaAs3). Notably, the observed topological states in SrAs3 are well separated from other bands in the vicinity of the Fermi level. RAs3 where R = Ca, Sr, thus, offers a unique opportunity to realize an archetype nodal-loop semimetal and establish a platform for obtaining a deeper understanding of the quantum phase transitions.

Extreme ultraviolet time- and angle-resolved photoemission setup with 21.5 meV resolution using high-order harmonic generation from a turn-key Yb:KGW amplifier.

Characterizing and controlling electronic properties of quantum materials require direct measurements of nonequilibrium electronic band structures over large regions of momentum space. Here, we demonstrate an experimental apparatus for time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy using high-order harmonic probe pulses generated by a robust, moderately high power (20 W) Yb:KGW amplifier with a tunable repetition rate between 50 and 150 kHz. By driving high-order harmonic generation (HHG) with the second harmonic of the fundamental 1025 nm laser pulses, we show that single-harmonic probe pulses at 21.8 eV photon energy can be effectively isolated without the use of a monochromator. The on-target photon flux can reach 5 × 1010 photons/s at 50 kHz, and the time resolution is measured to be 320 fs. The relatively long pulse duration of the Yb-driven HHG source allows us to reach an excellent energy resolution of 21.5 meV, which is achieved by suppressing the space-charge broadening using a low photon flux of 1.5 × 108 photons/s at a higher repetition rate of 150 kHz. The capabilities of the setup are demonstrated through measurements in the topological semimetal ZrSiS and the topological insulator Sb2-xGdxTe3.

Discovery of topological nodal-line fermionic phase in a magnetic material GdSbTe.

Topological Dirac semimetals with accidental band touching between conduction and valence bands protected by time reversal and inversion symmetry are at the frontier of modern condensed matter research. A majority of discovered topological semimetals are nonmagnetic and conserve time reversal symmetry. Here we report the experimental discovery of an antiferromagnetic topological nodal-line semimetallic state in GdSbTe using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Our systematic study reveals the detailed electronic structure of the paramagnetic state of antiferromagnetic GdSbTe. We observe the presence of multiple Fermi surface pockets including a diamond-shape, and small circular pockets around the zone center and high symmetry X points of the Brillouin zone (BZ), respectively. Furthermore, we observe the presence of a Dirac-like state at the X point of the BZ and the effect of magnetism along the nodal-line direction. Interestingly, our experimental data show a robust  Dirac-like state both below and above the magnetic transition temperature (TN = 13 K). Having a relatively high transition temperature, GdSbTe provides an archetypical platform to study the interaction between magnetism and topological states of matter.

Distinct multiple fermionic states in a single topological metal.

Among the quantum materials that have recently gained interest are the topological insulators, wherein symmetry-protected surface states cross in reciprocal space, and the Dirac nodal-line semimetals, where bulk bands touch along a line in k-space. However, the existence of multiple fermion phases in a single material has not been verified yet. Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and first-principles electronic structure calculations, we systematically study the metallic material Hf2Te2P and discover properties, which are unique in a single topological quantum material. We experimentally observe weak topological insulator surface states and our calculations suggest additional strong topological insulator surface states. Our first-principles calculations reveal a one-dimensional Dirac crossing-the surface Dirac-node arc-along a high-symmetry direction which is confirmed by our ARPES measurements. This novel state originates from the surface bands of a weak topological insulator and is therefore distinct from the well-known Fermi arcs in semimetals.

Observation of Effective Pseudospin Scattering in ZrSiS.

3D Dirac semimetals are an emerging class of materials that possess topological electronic states with a Dirac dispersion in their bulk. In nodal-line Dirac semimetals, the conductance and valence bands connect along a closed path in momentum space, leading to the prediction of pseudospin vortex rings and pseudospin skyrmions. Here, we use Fourier transform scanning tunneling spectroscopy (FT-STS) at 4.5 K to resolve quasiparticle interference (QPI) patterns at single defect centers on the surface of the line nodal semimetal zirconium silicon sulfide (ZrSiS). Our QPI measurements show pseudospin conservation at energies close to the line node. In addition, we determine the Fermi velocity to be ℏvF = 2.65 ± 0.10 eV Å in the Γ-M direction ∼300 meV above the Fermi energy EF and the line node to be ∼140 meV above EF. More importantly, we find that certain scatterers can introduce energy-dependent nonpreservation of pseudospin, giving rise to effective scattering between states with opposite pseudospin deep inside valence and conduction bands. Further investigations of quasiparticle interference at the atomic level will aid defect engineering at the synthesis level, needed for the development of lower-power electronics via dissipationless electronic transport in the future.

A novel artificial condensed matter lattice and a new platform for one-dimensional topological phases.

Engineered lattices in condensed matter physics, such as cold-atom optical lattices or photonic crystals, can have properties that are fundamentally different from those of naturally occurring electronic crystals. We report a novel type of artificial quantum matter lattice. Our lattice is a multilayer heterostructure built from alternating thin films of topological and trivial insulators. Each interface within the heterostructure hosts a set of topologically protected interface states, and by making the layers sufficiently thin, we demonstrate for the first time a hybridization of interface states across layers. In this way, our heterostructure forms an emergent atomic chain, where the interfaces act as lattice sites and the interface states act as atomic orbitals, as seen from our measurements by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. By changing the composition of the heterostructure, we can directly control hopping between lattice sites. We realize a topological and a trivial phase in our superlattice band structure. We argue that the superlattice may be characterized in a significant way by a one-dimensional topological invariant, closely related to the invariant of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. Our topological insulator heterostructure demonstrates a novel experimental platform where we can engineer band structures by directly controlling how electrons hop between lattice sites.

Crystal growth of Dirac semimetal ZrSiS with high magnetoresistance and mobility.

High quality single crystal ZrSiS as a theoretically predicted Dirac semimetal has been grown successfully using a vapor phase transport method. The single crystals of tetragonal structure are easy to cleave into perfect square-shaped pieces due to the van der Waals bonding between the sulfur atoms of the quintuple layers. Physical property measurement results including resistivity, Hall coefficient (RH), and specific heat are reported. The transport and thermodynamic properties suggest a Fermi liquid behavior with two Fermi pockets at low temperatures. At T = 3 K and magnetic field of Hǁc up to 9 Tesla, large magneto-resistance up to 8500% and 7200% for Iǁ(100) and Iǁ(110) were found. Shubnikov de Haas (SdH) oscillations were identified from the resistivity data, revealing the existence of two Fermi pockets at the Fermi level via the fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis. The Hall coefficient (RH) showed hole-dominated carriers with a high mobility of 3.05 × 104 cm2 V-1 s-1 at 3 K. ZrSiS has been confirmed to be a Dirac semimetal by the Dirac cone mapping near the X-point via angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) with a Dirac nodal line near the Fermi level identified using scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS).

Discovery of a new type of topological Weyl fermion semimetal state in MoxW1-xTe2.

The recent discovery of a Weyl semimetal in TaAs offers the first Weyl fermion observed in nature and dramatically broadens the classification of topological phases. However, in TaAs it has proven challenging to study the rich transport phenomena arising from emergent Weyl fermions. The series MoxW1-xTe2 are inversion-breaking, layered, tunable semimetals already under study as a promising platform for new electronics and recently proposed to host Type II, or strongly Lorentz-violating, Weyl fermions. Here we report the discovery of a Weyl semimetal in MoxW1-xTe2 at x=25%. We use pump-probe angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (pump-probe ARPES) to directly observe a topological Fermi arc above the Fermi level, demonstrating a Weyl semimetal. The excellent agreement with calculation suggests that MoxW1-xTe2 is a Type II Weyl semimetal. We also find that certain Weyl points are at the Fermi level, making MoxW1-xTe2 a promising platform for transport and optics experiments on Weyl semimetals.

Observation of the spin-polarized surface state in a noncentrosymmetric superconductor BiPd.

Recently, noncentrosymmetric superconductor BiPd has attracted considerable research interest due to the possibility of hosting topological superconductivity. Here we report a systematic high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and spin-resolved ARPES study of the normal state electronic and spin properties of BiPd. Our experimental results show the presence of a surface state at higher-binding energy with the location of Dirac point at around 700 meV below the Fermi level. The detailed photon energy, temperature-dependent and spin-resolved ARPES measurements complemented by our first-principles calculations demonstrate the existence of the spin-polarized surface states at high-binding energy. The absence of such spin-polarized surface states near the Fermi level negates the possibility of a topological superconducting behaviour on the surface. Our direct experimental observation of spin-polarized surface states in BiPd provides critical information that will guide the future search for topological superconductivity in noncentrosymmetric materials.

Observation of Dirac-like semi-metallic phase in NdSb.

The search of new topological phases of matter is one of the new directions in condensed matter physics. Recent experimental realizations of Dirac semimetal phases pave the way to look for other exotic phases of matter in real materials. Here we present a systematic angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) study of NdSb, a potential candidate for hosting a Dirac semi-metal phase. Our studies reveal two hole-like Fermi surface pockets present at the zone center ([Formula: see text]) point as well as two elliptical electron-pockets present in the zone corner (X) point of the Brillouin zone (BZ). Interestingly, Dirac-like linearly dispersive states are observed about the zone corner (X) point in NdSb. Our first-principles calculations agree with the experimentally observed bands at the [Formula: see text] point. Moreover, the Dirac-like state observed in NdSb may be a novel correlated state, not yet predicted in calculations. Our study opens a new direction to look for Dirac semi-metal states in other members of the rare earth monopnictide family.

Spin Polarization and Texture of the Fermi Arcs in the Weyl Fermion Semimetal TaAs.

A Weyl semimetal is a new state of matter that hosts Weyl fermions as quasiparticle excitations. The Weyl fermions at zero energy correspond to points of bulk-band degeneracy, called Weyl nodes, which are separated in momentum space and are connected only through the crystal's boundary by an exotic Fermi arc surface state. We experimentally measure the spin polarization of the Fermi arcs in the first experimentally discovered Weyl semimetal TaAs. Our spin data, for the first time, reveal that the Fermi arcs' spin-polarization magnitude is as large as 80% and lies completely in the plane of the surface. Moreover, we demonstrate that the chirality of the Weyl nodes in TaAs cannot be inferred by the spin texture of the Fermi arcs. The observed nondegenerate property of the Fermi arcs is important for establishing its exact topological nature, which reveals that spins on the arc form a novel type of 2D matter. Additionally, the nearly full spin polarization we observed (∼80%) may be useful in spintronic applications.

Electronic structure and relaxation dynamics in a superconducting topological material.

Topological superconductors host new states of quantum matter which show a pairing gap in the bulk and gapless surface states providing a platform to realize Majorana fermions. Recently, alkaline-earth metal Sr intercalated Bi2Se3 has been reported to show superconductivity with a Tc ~ 3 K and a large shielding fraction. Here we report systematic normal state electronic structure studies of Sr0.06Bi2Se3 (Tc ~ 2.5 K) by performing photoemission spectroscopy. Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), we observe a quantum well confined two-dimensional (2D) state coexisting with a topological surface state in Sr0.06Bi2Se3. Furthermore, our time-resolved ARPES reveals the relaxation dynamics showing different decay mechanism between the excited topological surface states and the two-dimensional states. Our experimental observation is understood by considering the intra-band scattering for topological surface states and an additional electron phonon scattering for the 2D states, which is responsible for the superconductivity. Our first-principles calculations agree with the more effective scattering and a shorter lifetime of the 2D states. Our results will be helpful in understanding low temperature superconducting states of these topological materials.

Signatures of the Adler-Bell-Jackiw chiral anomaly in a Weyl fermion semimetal.

Weyl semimetals provide the realization of Weyl fermions in solid-state physics. Among all the physical phenomena that are enabled by Weyl semimetals, the chiral anomaly is the most unusual one. Here, we report signatures of the chiral anomaly in the magneto-transport measurements on the first Weyl semimetal TaAs. We show negative magnetoresistance under parallel electric and magnetic fields, that is, unlike most metals whose resistivity increases under an external magnetic field, we observe that our high mobility TaAs samples become more conductive as a magnetic field is applied along the direction of the current for certain ranges of the field strength. We present systematically detailed data and careful analyses, which allow us to exclude other possible origins of the observed negative magnetoresistance. Our transport data, corroborated by photoemission measurements, first-principles calculations and theoretical analyses, collectively demonstrate signatures of the Weyl fermion chiral anomaly in the magneto-transport of TaAs.

Criteria for Directly Detecting Topological Fermi Arcs in Weyl Semimetals.

The recent discovery of the first Weyl semimetal in TaAs provides the first observation of a Weyl fermion in nature and demonstrates a novel type of anomalous surface state, the Fermi arc. Like topological insulators, the bulk topological invariants of a Weyl semimetal are uniquely fixed by the surface states of a bulk sample. Here we present a set of distinct conditions, accessible by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), each of which demonstrates topological Fermi arcs in a surface state band structure, with minimal reliance on calculation. We apply these results to TaAs and NbP. For the first time, we rigorously demonstrate a nonzero Chern number in TaAs by counting chiral edge modes on a closed loop. We further show that it is unreasonable to directly observe Fermi arcs in NbP by ARPES within available experimental resolution and spectral linewidth. Our results are general and apply to any new material to demonstrate a Weyl semimetal.

Topological nodal-line fermions in spin-orbit metal PbTaSe2.

Topological semimetals can support one-dimensional Fermi lines or zero-dimensional Weyl points in momentum space, where the valence and conduction bands touch. While the degeneracy points in Weyl semimetals are robust against any perturbation that preserves translational symmetry, nodal lines require protection by additional crystalline symmetries such as mirror reflection. Here we report, based on a systematic theoretical study and a detailed experimental characterization, the existence of topological nodal-line states in the non-centrosymmetric compound PbTaSe2 with strong spin-orbit coupling. Remarkably, the spin-orbit nodal lines in PbTaSe2 are not only protected by the reflection symmetry but also characterized by an integer topological invariant. Our detailed angle-resolved photoemission measurements, first-principles simulations and theoretical topological analysis illustrate the physical mechanism underlying the formation of the topological nodal-line states and associated surface states for the first time, thus paving the way towards exploring the exotic properties of the topological nodal-line fermions in condensed matter systems.

Prediction of an arc-tunable Weyl Fermion metallic state in Mo(x)W(1-x)Te2.

A Weyl semimetal is a new state of matter that hosts Weyl fermions as emergent quasiparticles. The Weyl fermions correspond to isolated points of bulk band degeneracy, Weyl nodes, which are connected only through the crystal's boundary by exotic Fermi arcs. The length of the Fermi arc gives a measure of the topological strength, because the only way to destroy the Weyl nodes is to annihilate them in pairs in the reciprocal space. To date, Weyl semimetals are only realized in the TaAs class. Here, we propose a tunable Weyl state in Mo(x)W(1-x)Te2 where Weyl nodes are formed by touching points between metallic pockets. We show that the Fermi arc length can be changed as a function of Mo concentration, thus tuning the topological strength. Our results provide an experimentally feasible route to realizing Weyl physics in the layered compound Mo(x)W(1-x)Te2, where non-saturating magneto-resistance and pressure-driven superconductivity have been observed.