Experimental perspective on three-dimensional topological semimetals
Baoliang Lv, Tian Qian, Hong Ding
Abstract
A confluence of precise theoretical predictions shows that carefully fabricated three-dimensional (3D) semimetals can host a variety of exotic phases dominated by topological constraints. This experimental review of 3D topological semimetals addresses the role that electronic structure and associated band crossings play in validating Dirac and Weyl fermion descriptions that have analogies with elementary particles in quantum field theory. The importance of Fermi arcs, nodal geometries, symmetry, spin-orbit coupling, and dimensionality is highlighted. A list of confirmed 3D topological semimetals is presented with suggestions for future research and applications.
Topics & Concepts
PhysicsSemimetalDirac (video compression format)Topology (electrical circuits)Curse of dimensionalityTheoretical physicsFermionCoupling (piping)Spin (aerodynamics)Symmetry (geometry)Fermi Gamma-ray Space TelescopeQuantum mechanicsBand gapGeometryMechanical engineeringComputer scienceThermodynamicsMathematicsNeutrinoEngineeringCombinatoricsMachine learningTopological Materials and PhenomenaGraphene research and applications2D Materials and Applications