Scientific Reports (Jul 2017)

Dirac Magnon Nodal Loops in Quasi-2D Quantum Magnets

  • S. A. Owerre

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-07276-8
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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Abstract In this report, we propose a new concept of one-dimensional (1D) closed lines of Dirac magnon nodes in two-dimensional (2D) momentum space of quasi-2D quantum magnetic systems. They are termed “2D Dirac magnon nodal-line loops”. We utilize the bilayer honeycomb ferromagnets with intralayer coupling J and interlayer coupling J L , which is realizable in the honeycomb chromium compounds CrX3 (X ≡ Br, Cl, and I). However, our results can also exist in other layered quasi-2D quantum magnetic systems. Here, we show that the magnon bands of the bilayer honeycomb ferromagnets overlap for J L ≠ 0 and form 1D closed lines of Dirac magnon nodes in 2D momentum space. The 2D Dirac magnon nodal-line loops are topologically protected by inversion and time-reversal symmetry. Furthermore, we show that they are robust against weak Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction Δ DM < J L and possess chiral magnon edge modes.