Quadratic Fermi Node in a 3D Strongly Correlated Semimetal
Abstract
Strong spin-orbit coupling fosters exotic electronic states such as topological insulators
and superconductors, but the combination of strong spin-orbit and strong electronelectron
interactions is just beginning to be understood. Central to this emerging area are
the 5d transition metal iridium oxides. Here, in the Pyrochlore Iridate Pr2Ir2O7, we identify
a non-trivial state with a single-point Fermi node protected by cubic and time-reversal
symmetries, using a combination of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and
first-principles calculations. Owing to its quadratic dispersion, the unique coincidence
of four degenerate states at the Fermi energy, and strong Coulomb interactions, non-
Fermi liquid behaviour is predicted, for which we observe some evidence. Our discovery
implies that Pr2Ir2O7 is a parent state that can be manipulated to produce other strongly
correlated topological phases, such as topological Mott insulator, Weyl semimetal, and
quantum spin and anomalous Hall states.
Author(s)
Kondo T., Nakayama M., Chen R., Ishikawa J., Moon EG., Yamamoto T., Ota Y., Malaeb W.
Coauthor(s)
Kanai H, Nakashima Y., Ishida Y., Yoshida R., Yamamoto H., Matsunami M., Kimura S., Inami N., Ono K., Kumigashira H., Nakatsuji S., Balents L., Shin S.
Journal/Conference Information
Nature Communications ,6: 1-8