Topological Dirac nodal lines and surface charges in fcc alkaline earth metals

Abstract

The nodal-line semimetals exhibit an intriguing interplay between topology, symmetry and materials science. Here, Hirayamaet al. predict a nodal-line semimetal phase resulting from the pi Berry phase in alkaline-earth metals, and show that the nodal lines give rise to surface polarization charge, which is eventually screened by bulk carriers.