Abstract
Topological semimetals are gapless states of matter which have robust surface states and characteristic electromagnetic responses. In this paper, we consider the electromagnetic response of gapless phases in 3+1 dimensions with line nodes. We show through a layering approach that an intrinsic antisymmetric tensor Bμν (2-form), which is determined by the geometry and energy-embedding of the nodal lines, emerges in the effective response field theory. Bμν is shown to be simply related to the charge polarization and orbital magnetization of the sample; hence the geometry of the line nodes determines these electromagnetic observables. We conclude by discussing the relevance for recently proposed materials and heterostructures with line-node fermi-surfaces.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 075138 |
Journal | Physical Review B |
Volume | 95 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 21 2017 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Condensed Matter Physics