Exact lattice-model calculation of boundary modes for Weyl semimetals and graphene

Abstract

We provide an exact analytical technique to obtain within a lattice model the wave functions of the edge states in zigzag- and bearded-edge graphene, as well as of the Fermi-arc surface states in Weyl semimetals described by a minimal bulk model. We model the corresponding boundaries as an infinite scalar potential localized on a line, and respectively within a plane. We use the T -matrix formalism to obtain the dispersion and the spatial distribution of the corresponding boundary modes. Furthermore, to demonstrate the power of our approach, we write down the surface Green’s function of the considered Weyl semimetal model, and we calculate the quasiparticle interference patterns originating from an impurity localized at the respective surface.

Keywords

• Weyl semimetal
• graphene
• quasiparticle interference pattern
• T-matrix
• surface states
• Fermi arc