Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: The properties of electrons in magnetically ordered crystals are of interest both from the viewpoint of realizing novel topological phases, such as magnetic Weyl semimetals, and from the application perspective of creating energy-efficient memories. A systematic study of symmetry and topology in magnetic materials has been challenging given that there are 1651 magnetic space groups (MSGs). By using an efficient representation of allowed band structures, we obtain a systematic description of several basic properties of free electrons in all MSGs in three dimensions, as well as in the 528 magnetic layer groups relevant to two-dimensional magnetic materials. We compute constraints on electron fillings and band connectivity compatible with insulating behavior. In addition, by contrasting with atomic insulators, we identify band topology entailed by the symmetry transformation of bands, as determined by the MSG alone. We provide an application of our results to identifying topological semimetals arising in periodic arrangements of hedgehog-like magnetic textures.
Source: Science Advances
Institutions: The University of Tokyo, Harvard University
Language: English
Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
OpenAlex ID: W2730453049