Physical Review Research (Jun 2022)

Dirac states in an inclined two-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model

  • Chang-An Li,
  • Sang-Jun Choi,
  • Song-Bo Zhang,
  • Björn Trauzettel

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.4.023193
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 2
p. 023193

Abstract

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We propose to realize Dirac states in an inclined two-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model on a square lattice. We show that a pair of Dirac points protected by space-time inversion symmetry appear in the semimetal phase. The locations of these Dirac points are not pinned to any high-symmetry points of the Brillouin zone but are tunable through parameter modulations. Interestingly, the merging of two Dirac points undergoes a topological phase transition that leads to either a weak topological insulator or a nodal-line semimetal. We provide a systematic analysis of these topological phases from both bulk and boundary perspectives combined with symmetry arguments. We also discuss feasible experimental platforms to realize our model.